How to Monitor Telecommuters Electronically--and Legally
As employers increasingly allow employees to telecommute, legal issues arise about whether to monitor electronically their at-home work and, if so, to what degree.
For those who do decide to monitor at-home employees, it’s a good idea to buy them a computer to be used only for work, reports Corporate Counsel. That avoids potential privacy complaints by, for example, family members who might otherwise be using the same home computer, the legal magazine explains.
Also, in addition to checking to make sure telecommuters are on the job, those who use electronic monitoring should make sure employees aren’t working too much, the article suggests. This helps avoid potential overtime claims that might arise, even if the employer has a contract specifying that the worker cannot work overtime without express permission.
Related coverage:
ABA Journal: “The Boss is Watching”
ABAJournal.com: “New ‘Big Brother’ Software Will Monitor Workers’ Facial Expressions”
