How to Protect Yourself From Workplace Monitoring

Companies are increasingly monitoring employee emails, phone conversations and Internet activity. Employees who spend a lot of time taking care of personal matters at work cause decreased productivity and profits. Sometimes, a company will only monitor certain employees who appear to be taking advantage of workplace assets.

Instructions

1. Follow all company rules. This applies to rules concerning correspondence and anything else. The less you break the rules, the less of a chance that your boss will monitor you.

2. Keep personal correspondence to a minimum. This includes talking to other employees about personal matters when you should be handling company matters. Being labeled as a gossip or blabbermouth increases the chance of monitoring in the workplace.

3. Look busy all of the time, especially around supervisors. If everyone thinks you are handling company matters, they will usually overlook you when deciding who to monitor.

4. Appear to be company-oriented. Offer ideas for improving the company to your supervisor. Make sure that your suggestions are positive instead of pushy.

5. Find ways to increase your productivity. If you are a highly productive employee, supervisors usually allow you to do your job with minimum supervision.

6. Use data encryption services if you check emails or surf the Internet at work. These services use highly sophisticated data encryption to hide Internet activity. Some services will automatically clear any records of your activity from the computer when you log off.

7. Check emails or surf the Internet with a cell phone or PDA. Your employer is unable to monitor your private cell phone or PDA, in most cases.

Tips & Warnings

• If you make personal calls from your cell phone, keep in mind that your employer may have audio recording devices in your workplace. Bathrooms usually are free from any type of monitoring.