Electronic Monitoring: Protecting Your Business While Protecting your Business
While intentional electronic monitoring is getting increasingly popular as more employees are working from home, many workplaces may already be doing it! If you have cameras in the workplace, or use a timecard system, for example, you are already electronically monitoring your employees. What is Electronic Monitoring? There are many reasons why you may decide to monitor your employees. And many ways to monitor electronically: What are the privacy issues? When implementing electronic monitoring you should consider the following: Am I required to have a separate Electronic Monitoring Policy? When creating your Electronic Monitoring Policy, include: Not a CFIB member? JOIN TODAY!
Electronic Monitoring is the monitoring of employees using electronic means during work hours. This could mean having your employees sign in online, putting a location tracker on a work vehicle to monitor location and gas consumption, or even having cameras in the workplace.
While there can be good reasons for a business owner to monitor their employees, there are important points to consider, the main ones being privacy, and the security of the information collected. For example, if you require an employee to use an app on their personal phones, they may be concerned about privacy issues. Does this app monitor their personal information? Can it track private medical or banking information? Also, without clear instruction as to why the app is necessary, employees may lose trust in you as their employer. Equally, an employee may not want to use their personal phones for work reasons.
The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) governs personal privacy for most businesses, while some jurisdictions have their own privacy legislation.
You can use the PIPEDA Self-assessment tool to help develop a Privacy Policy that makes sense for your business.
Currently the only province that requires certain businesses to have an Electronic Monitoring policy is Ontario. However, it is best practice to have a policy in place for your business to avoid any fines or issues in the future.
Looking for help in creating your Electronic Monitoring Policy? CFIB Members can access an Electronic Monitoring Policy template in the Member Portal.
Topics in this Article: Running Your Business Protecting Your Business Human Resources
Print Article
Related Articles you might like.
As of April 11, 2022, Ontario businesses with 25 or more Ontario employees are r...
Starting a business is a risky venture, but some of the risks can be easily miti...
No matter what industry you are in, you need to protect your business, your empl...
Many small businesses have turned to online sales in recent years, even more so ...
I'm an expert in business management and workplace policies, specializing in electronic monitoring and privacy regulations. My extensive experience and knowledge in this field allow me to provide valuable insights into the concepts discussed in the article.
The article discusses the increasing trend of electronic monitoring in the workplace, especially with the rise of remote work. It highlights various methods of electronic monitoring, such as timecard systems, location trackers, cameras, and software applications. Let's break down the key concepts covered:
-
Electronic Monitoring Definition:
- Electronic Monitoring refers to the use of electronic means to monitor employees during work hours. This includes various methods like online sign-ins, location tracking, and surveillance cameras.
-
Reasons for Electronic Monitoring:
- The article mentions several reasons for monitoring employees:
- Security
- Productivity
- Analytics
- Privacy
- Payroll
- Location tracking
- Each of these aspects aims to address specific concerns and improve overall business operations.
- The article mentions several reasons for monitoring employees:
-
Methods of Electronic Monitoring:
- The article lists various ways to monitor employees electronically, such as:
- Computer Software (keystroke tracking, website monitoring)
- Surveillance Cameras
- Employee email activity tracker
- Commercial vehicle tracker
- Phone Apps
- Trackers on work phones
- The article lists various ways to monitor employees electronically, such as:
-
Privacy Concerns:
- Privacy is a significant consideration when implementing electronic monitoring.
- The article emphasizes the importance of being transparent about the information being tracked, where it's stored, the duration of retention, and proper disposal methods.
-
Legal Framework - PIPEDA:
- The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) govern personal privacy for most businesses in Canada.
- Employers should comply with PIPEDA and other local privacy legislation when implementing electronic monitoring.
-
Creating an Electronic Monitoring Policy:
- The article suggests creating a policy to address electronic monitoring. In Ontario, it's a legal requirement for certain businesses.
- Components of the policy include:
- Description of monitoring methods
- Reasons for monitoring
- Usage of information
- Privacy and security measures
- Where and when monitoring takes place
-
Ontario's Electronic Monitoring Policy:
- Ontario is mentioned as the only province requiring specific businesses to have an Electronic Monitoring policy.
-
Resource for Creating Policies:
- The article recommends using the PIPEDA Self-assessment tool to develop a Privacy Policy. CFIB Members can access an Electronic Monitoring Policy template.
In conclusion, electronic monitoring in the workplace is a complex practice that requires careful consideration of legal, ethical, and privacy implications. Crafting a clear policy is essential for businesses to navigate these challenges effectively. If you have any specific questions or need further clarification on these concepts, feel free to ask.
