Question

Ethical Dilemma: Conflict over privacy in the workplace There is tension between companies and their employees over privacy in the workplace. Some companies track employees via company-issued GPS-enabled smartphones and monitor employees’ behaviour through social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Currently, there are no laws preventing companies from monitoring and tracking employees. Companies believe not monitoring these platforms leaves them vulnerable to misconduct. For instance, the internet increased the number of distractions in the workplace, and some employees may spend up to 30 percent of their time at work using social media sites for non-work purposes. On the other hand, employees argue they have a right to their privacy. They see tracking as a clear sign that their employers do not trust them. Another major argument is that employers with access to employee social media sites or smartphones might be able to monitor employee activity outside the workplace. Where is the line drawn on ensuring employees are working appropriately versus their rights to privacy? Companies should have the right to track employees through company smartphones and monitor their personal Facebook and Twitter accounts. Employees should be able to maintain their personal privacy and not be tracked through their company smartphones or their Facebook and Twitter accounts. You need to judge the ethical scenario and make a sound ethical decision. As part of this report you will need to:

Introduction:

Then, Discuss the importance of ethical decision making in the businesses.

Analyse the provided ethical dilemma and identify its positive and negative points.

Take a position (using ethical theories) to support or reject the provided ethical dilemma.

Critically evaluate your position and justify why did you take such position.

Discuss the role of corporate governance in the provided ethical dilemma and how directors and boards should act in such situation.

Develop a plan/recommendations to review and monitor the process of ethical decision making in the companies which could face similar ethical dilemmas.

Conclusion

Answer 1

As per your question, Frist I will describe some valid and important points from both of the side, Employee and Employer regarding being monitored by Employers. Further, I will tell you a concise conclusion about it. So, please bear with me.

Employer:-

The basic and simple methodology regarding monitoring of personal social media accounts of employees is that "Employer wants to save their company by protecting and hiding the product structure and blueprints".

Employers monitor their employees to maintain calm and professionalization in the workplace. A professional business must be viewed exactly in a well organized professional way only.

Nowadays, there is no such hard and fast rule that prevents the tracking of personal social media accounts of employees. But be transparent and maintain trust among employees, the employer should clearly define a code of conduct regarding social media uses. That provides a cristal clear understanding about do and don't on their personal social media accounts.

Employee:-

Employees don't want to lose their right to privacy. Because by monitored by employers the right to privacy is violated. Employees must make a mind that it is unlikely that workplace monitoring and surveillance will in itself be prohibited. Around the Global, such practices, whether for the enforcement of discipline or for the protection of business interests, are generally considered to be valid. It is pivotal, that the surveillance should be reasonable, and the employees are aware of the surveillance.

Conclusion:-

An employer’s goal is not only to secure and protect the company or company's liabilities. But also to protect their employees so that the business keeps achieving new goals. With social media uprising, it may seem very impossible to put rules into place, but with proper guidelines and policies, employers and employees can both feel at ease.
The best way to be transparent and maintain trust among employees, the employer should clearly define a code of conduct regarding social media uses. That provides a cristal clear understanding about do and don't on their personal social media accounts.

I hope, now you have a crystal clear understanding of the privacy policies and why employee's personal social media account monitoring is required by employers.

Please don't forget to like it...

Thank You...