Surveillance in the Workplace

The phrase ‘big brother is watching’ seemed like something just relegated to the movies and science fiction lore, however in 2016 moving into 2017 it’s evident that life is definitely imitating art. Technology has been able to help connect people and provide enhanced communication; it also serves as a great way for businesses to improve surveillance.

Here are some of the advantages of security surveillance in the workplace:

“Loss Prevention

Employers can protect their business assets through monitoring of the workplace. From relatively minor theft, such as a worker slipping a box of paper clips into her purse to more substantial incidents, such as an employee selling proprietary company information to a competitor, contemporary surveillance tools heighten management’s ability to safeguard company assets. Thanks to high-tech forensics, even incriminating memos or emails that an employee has deleted from the office computer are recoverable for use as evidence of wrongdoing.

Improved Employee Performance

AMA reports that 84 percent of employers surveyed who use surveillance systems said they inform employees that their computer use and email are being monitored. About 78 percent who utilize anti-theft surveillance let employees know about it, while 89 percent inform workers of video performance monitoring. While this may seem counterintuitive for those trying to catch employees misbehaving, it actually gives workers the chance to be more responsible and productive on the job. The knowledge that the employer is watching at all times can, in itself, inspire better performance and improve productivity without the need for unpleasant confrontations.

Efficient Time Management

Surveillance in the work environment can improve productivity. The data collected regarding employees’ computer use, for example, can help employers migrate the time employees spend on non-work browsing and emailing to more productive uses. Specific knowledge, gleaned through computer monitoring software, gives employers the ability to institute policies that focus on problem areas. If monitoring reveals that workers are shopping online or socializing on Facebook during work time, management can specifically restrict these practices through the use of software filters that block access to specific sites.”

Ultimately the main goal of using surveillance within the workplace is to keep everyone that is working there safe and be able to ensure things are going as they should be. If you’re a business owner that wants to improve the surveillance methods of your space consult with Security Connection, your Ottawa security professional!