by Lucas Michieli

Created on: October 23, 2009   Last Updated: December 10, 2009

In every field of work there are less than desirable employees. With the installment of internet in the workplace those who are careless, who do damage, mismanage and slack can be much more difficult to detect; their purpose (or lack thereof) is hidden within an almost invisible network.

The installation and maintenance of networks, internet, and computer equipment are large expenses for any business. As such, these assets are in the workplace solely for the purposes of conducting business.

Companies have the right to ensure that their computers and networks remain assets; these assets should be used to sustain the company's interests as opposed to act as a detriment to the company. Companies must have the right to observe how employees operate these assets especially during business hours.

Corporations are losing productivity in the billions of dollars due to unwarranted internet usage. Companies must monitor, if only, to ensure that they have the ability to compete effectively in their industry.

Understand: there is a conflict of interests if employees are conducting their own business during company hours. This company is paying them to perform specific duties!

By not monitoring their employees' internet usage, companies are not only losing out on potential production but also presenting the opportunity to use one's work hours for one's own personal interests. Using the internet at work for anything but its intended purpose can increase the risk of contracting spyware, malware, and viruses. Those who use the company's bandwidth for personal use may also be responsible for slowing down the progress of honest employees, whom are truly working in the company's benefit. The possibility of marketing private or corporate files is also apparent. A business' agenda certainly does not call for all of these added expenses and liabilities.

The monitoring of a company's network could possibly be exercised to pinpoint the prestigious employees, enrich employee skills, and encourage employee efficiency. Integrating a reward system, documentation of notable employee achievements, and offering feedback would make the monitoring of internet usage an inspirational affair for most employees.

Monitoring could also be used to ensure that employees are not being cyber-harassed by others during work hours. An unhappy employee is not as productive as a happy one. If an employee is guilty of harassment it could also be a red flag to look for other atrocities in the workplace.

Last but not least, monitoring can be a preventative scare tactic.

Provided that employees are made aware of a given company's monitoring and agree to a set policy explained at the point of hire, there is no reason why a company could not benefit from a monitoring system.

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