WEBVTT 00:00:12.487 --> 00:00:15.095 If I'm going to keep productivity up in my area, 00:00:15.106 --> 00:00:17.651 I need to know what my employees are working on 00:00:17.662 --> 00:00:19.433 and how much they're working on it. 00:00:19.724 --> 00:00:22.214 My employees work with company equipment, right? 00:00:22.489 --> 00:00:24.066 So, I don't understand 00:00:24.076 --> 00:00:27.144 why people get so bent out of shape when they realize 00:00:27.155 --> 00:00:30.649 I can monitor computers, phones... day-to-day activities. 00:00:31.487 --> 00:00:35.220 While it's true - your employees are working on equipment and supplies 00:00:35.231 --> 00:00:37.653 that have been purchased by the organization- 00:00:37.664 --> 00:00:39.555 unless you tell them otherwise... 00:00:39.595 --> 00:00:43.403 ...they come into the workplace with the same expectations for privacy 00:00:43.414 --> 00:00:45.383 that they enjoy in their own home. 00:00:45.501 --> 00:00:49.484 Now depending on your organization's monitoring policies, 00:00:49.511 --> 00:00:52.389 this may be an unreasonable expectation. 00:00:52.445 --> 00:00:55.163 Let's face it - we all know people who make 00:00:55.174 --> 00:00:58.389 more than their fair share of personal phone calls on the job. 00:00:58.486 --> 00:01:01.000 And then there's the guy who's playing computer games 00:01:01.011 --> 00:01:03.777 when he's supposed to be researching the next project. 00:01:03.849 --> 00:01:06.348 And I don't even want to talk about the people who are using 00:01:06.359 --> 00:01:10.118 equipment on the company's time for gambling, moonlighting and... 00:01:10.129 --> 00:01:11.370 who knows what else. 00:01:11.520 --> 00:01:14.956 This makes it so important to make sure your employees 00:01:14.967 --> 00:01:17.730 are aware of what's private and what's not 00:01:17.741 --> 00:01:20.982 and to enforce these policies consistently. 00:01:21.097 --> 00:01:25.082 Many companies have proprietary material or trade secrets 00:01:25.093 --> 00:01:28.316 that they don't want shared with the public or their competition. 00:01:28.560 --> 00:01:33.426 So, they may monitor e-mail and voice mail to make sure that's not happening. 00:01:33.654 --> 00:01:37.886 In addition, computer use may be monitored for a couple of reasons. 00:01:38.163 --> 00:01:40.441 First, to measure productivity. 00:01:40.532 --> 00:01:45.254 And second, to make sure that resources are being used appropriately. 00:01:45.591 --> 00:01:50.578 Inappropriate internet surfing or downloading can create legal issues... 00:01:50.650 --> 00:01:55.203 ...bog down networks and cause other problems across an organization. 00:01:55.713 --> 00:02:00.092 Some companies use video surveillance to monitor employee activities 00:02:00.103 --> 00:02:05.172 for safety purposes to decrease accidents and inappropriate behavior. 00:02:05.603 --> 00:02:09.422 All of these types of monitoring serve a specific purpose. 00:02:09.487 --> 00:02:12.345 But sometimes, they can open up legal questions 00:02:12.356 --> 00:02:15.195 between the rights of the individual to privacy 00:02:15.206 --> 00:02:17.435 and the rights of the organization. 00:02:18.517 --> 00:02:22.945 If you monitor employees' activities, your responsibilities as a manager 00:02:22.956 --> 00:02:25.867 is to make sure your employees are aware of it - 00:02:25.949 --> 00:02:29.055 manage the expectation of privacy. 00:02:29.178 --> 00:02:33.006 If employees know they are being monitored, and the reasons behind it, 00:02:33.017 --> 00:02:36.430 it will definitely impact how they use the equipment. 00:02:36.596 --> 00:02:39.955 For example, if they know the policy strictly forbids 00:02:39.966 --> 00:02:42.142 non-business use of equipment, 00:02:42.153 --> 00:02:44.867 the employee will think differently about using it 00:02:44.878 --> 00:02:46.878 because they know the consequences. 00:02:46.980 --> 00:02:49.617 The same goes for a variety of other things. 00:02:49.689 --> 00:02:51.742 For example, drug testing. 00:02:51.861 --> 00:02:54.984 If employees are informed that they will be tested 00:02:54.995 --> 00:02:58.431 and there are solid business reasons behind the testing, 00:02:58.488 --> 00:03:02.320 the consequences are theirs if they violate these policies. 00:03:02.595 --> 00:03:05.772 While communication can cut down on violations, 00:03:05.783 --> 00:03:09.586 you still need to know what to do when they happen. 00:03:09.940 --> 00:03:13.928 Review your policies and procedures regarding equipment use, 00:03:13.939 --> 00:03:18.899 onfidential information, drug testing, and handling of employee records. 00:03:19.065 --> 00:03:21.899 Know where it's outlined in the employee handbook. 00:03:22.027 --> 00:03:24.836 Emphasize policies at staff meetings. 00:03:24.927 --> 00:03:27.727 Understand what the policy provisions mean 00:03:27.738 --> 00:03:32.227 and what you need to do to support them consistently in your work area. 00:03:32.658 --> 00:03:35.180 Consistency is very important. 00:03:35.299 --> 00:03:39.219 Preferential treatment for friends or employees with seniority 00:03:39.230 --> 00:03:43.977 could leave you and your organization open to a discrimination lawsuit. 00:03:44.267 --> 00:03:47.774 As a manager, you should also make sure your employee 00:03:47.785 --> 00:03:50.893 has signed and dated an acknowledgement form 00:03:50.904 --> 00:03:52.972 that indicates they've received, 00:03:52.983 --> 00:03:56.550 read and understand the policies in the handbook. 00:03:57.527 --> 00:03:58.730 If you take a few minutes 00:03:58.741 --> 00:04:01.293 to talk through the policies with your employees, 00:04:01.304 --> 00:04:04.679 you can make sure they understand them and you're on the same page. 00:04:04.726 --> 00:04:07.351 Again, communication is key. 00:04:07.594 --> 00:04:11.937 By managing your employees' expectations of privacy in the workplace 00:04:11.948 --> 00:04:16.512 with clear policies and procedures and clear communication, 00:04:16.598 --> 00:04:19.073 you can help prevent many misunderstandings 00:04:19.083 --> 00:04:20.698 and potential lawsuits.