Entry # 14

Technology has allowed us to do things in a more convenient way. You can basically send a message to anyone from different parts of the world and they would receive it in real time. Information is just within the reach of your fingertips.  Furthermore, thanks to technology, storing information has never been easier. However, advances in technology can also bring harm to one entity, and that is what the Decision Point in Chapter 7 entitled Technology Dilemma painted in the scenario they gave.

In the scenario, an employee was tasked to spy on a colleague because the data that will be collected will be of possible use in court. In my opinion, a corporation has the right to “spy” on its employees provided they mention it on their contract. However, I believe that this should solely be done to monitor employee productivity and actions. I do not support using spying programs to obtain information that is non-work related though.

In my opinion, if they wanted to get information, they should get an actual licensed investigator instead of letting another employee do the job. Imagine if that employee got caught, the image of the company will be ruined and the employee tasked to spy might be isolated by his colleagues.

Employee monitoring is being implemented for a long time already but the employees and employers must know the difference between monitoring and spying. Employees can not solely blame the employers when they obtain information they hold private because it is also their job to know what they have agreed on when they took the job. I think that is the most important lesson of all: Know what you’re getting into before you agree on doing anything.