Case 39: Workplace Spying
1. What are the benefits of employee monitoring? What are the downsides?
The benefits of employee monitoring include the ability of employers to keep track of their
physical property, including equipment, computers, laptops, and cellphones as well as the
2. Do you consider any of the company practices reported in this case to be ethically
questionable? Which ones and why?
The perhaps unintended consequence of UPS’s employee monitoring system appears to be
3. What is the correct balance of monitoring of, and discretion for, employees? When does
workplace spying cross the line?
Workplace spying crosses the line when employees are not informed that the information is
4. Should companies place this much stress on their employees?
The goal of an employee monitoring program is not to place additional stress on employees.
However that is a logical result of some of the monitoring systems necessary. There is some
level of monitoring inherent in any employment relationship. Often the appropriate monitoring
5. Is this an example of dehumanizing employees?
I believe that employee monitoring systems can be implemented in a way that will not
6. Do you think workplace monitoring can be an effective part of an employee engagement
program?
It would be difficult to imagine workplace monitoring as an effective part of an employee engagement
program in that the inherent privacy concerns seem to violate the spirit of employee engagement. However, it