You might be shocked to learn that employee monitoring is entirely legal. However, while companies do have a right to do it, there are some caveats, and it’s important to know what exactly your employer is entitled to track.
For example, while most states don’t require consent to monitor employees, four do: Texas, New York, Connecticut and Delaware. If you work in one of these locations, your boss must tell you before they monitor your activity at work. If consent isn’t obtained, it could open up the employer to legal action.
Employers may also be entitled to monitor work devices outside of work hours, so don’t assume that just because it’s 6pm, you can hit up any site you like – there’s every chance your boss could be watching.
Similarly, don’t assume your personal devices are safe either. If you work for a company that lets you use your own devices for work purposes, these are also considered fair game for monitoring.
As you can see, the laws are stacked in the employers’ favor, but being aware of the legal aspect of monitoring, especially in your state, can help you avoid making simple mistakes.
