Monitoring Employee Email

Smith, W. & Tabak, F. (2009). Monitoring employee e-mails: Is there any room for privacy? Retrieved March 30, 2010 from: http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.waterfield.murraystate.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=2&hid=8&sid=d2acb272-84a7-4e12-95fc-d683b6ed05fa%40sessionmgr14

This is a study published in the Academy of Management Perspectives November, 2009 issue and is a discussion about the trends, legalities, results, and consequences of employers monitoring employee’s e-mails in the workplace. The study cites a 2007 review by the American Management Association that shows that 84% of employers have e-mail-use policies and 43% engage in some type of email monitoring, and 28% have terminated employees for inappropriate use of e-mail. Although the US legal system does not directly address the rights and responsibilities associated with e-mails, the courts have consistently supported the rights of employers to monitor their employees’ e-mail activity. Advocates in support of monitoring state three basic justifications: protecting the firm from liability risks, protecting company assets, and ensuring employee job performance. The authors also discuss the legal implications for the employer and the privacy concerns that need to be considered from the employees’ point of view. Additionally, the employer has to consider the psychological effects on the employee and understand that there could be some unintended consequences of monitoring. E-mail monitoring could lead to employees feeling degraded, stressed, or frustrated, leading to mistrust, job dissatisfaction, and high voluntary turnover rates. This article contains important information that managers should understand because as the world becomes more assessable through e-mail and other electronic means, it is important for managers to know that their employees are using these tools effectively in the workplace, but should try to find a balance that will give the employees some sense of privacy as well. These types of challenges will continue to develop as technologies continue to expand.