62% Yes
38% No
The Big Question is an initiative between Computer Weekly and
recruitment consultancy PSD. Each week we put the Big Question to
top IT professionals to get their take on a current talking
point.
The majority of IT professionals are concerned that firms'
technology-enabled monitoring of staff activities has gone too far.
But the results of this week's Big Question poll show how divided
people are on the issue.
Most respondents made the point that firms were entitled to
ensure that resources and time were being used appropriately by
staff, but there was a widespread feeling that the balance had
shifted too far in recent years.
Many said that monitoring activities were undermining the trust
between employers and employees.
"Over-policing of e-mail tends to create mistrust and
demotivates the workforce," said one IT engineer.
"Employees need to feel secure and their confidentiality should
be respected," said another.
But others said it was the prerogative of a firm to monitor
staff e-mails, since the running of the business was paramount, and
individuals needed to be aware their responsibility was to the firm
at all times.
IT consultant Callum Raymond said, "So long as your e-mail
account is not monitored on a regular basis, it is fair to have a
system in place that tracks your activities."
Research from security firm Proofpoint has revealed that nearly
50% of UK big businesses could be breaking the law by monitoring
e-mails.
More than 60% of businesses regularly audit their staff's
outbound e-mail, with 38% employing a "corporate snoop" to read
e-mails, the survey of e-mail managers found.
But the survey found that many firms did not have adequate
e-mail policies, or else policies were not effectively communicated
to staff.
Mark Hughes, Proofpoint's EMEA managing director, said many
firms were falling short in the information provided to staff. "It
is legitimate for a company to monitor outbound e-mail, but
clandestine Big Brother voyeurism is illegal," he said.
Vote for your IT greats
Who have been the most influential people in IT in the past 40
years? The greatest organisations? The best hardware and software
technologies? As part of Computer Weekly’s 40th anniversary
celebrations, we are asking our readers who and what has really
made a difference?
Vote now at:
www.computerweekly.com/ITgreats