Case 39: Workplace Spying
1. What are the benefits of employee monitoring? What are the downsides?
2. Do you consider any of the company practices reported in this case to be ethically
questionable? Which ones and why?
3. What is the correct balance of monitoring of, and discretion for, employees? When does
workplace spying cross the line?
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
5. Is this an example of dehumanizing employees?
6. Do you think workplace monitoring can be an effective part of an employee engagement
program?