Monday, June 15, 2009

Metaphors & Culture - Workplace surveillance

Workplace surveillance is described as instruments of domination in the web lecture Metaphors and Culture. It states that new communication technologies allow organizations to monitor employee computers from the moment those computers are booted up to the moment they’re shutdown. Also, cell phones and pagers provide another avenue for organizations to monitor employee behavior and keep employees linked to the organization. This is seen by critical theorists as being intrusive and causes employees’ social and mental stress. From my work experience, I disagree on this point. I found that having a company supplied computer, cellphone, pager, and other communication technology available to me allowed me the freedom to work anywhere. Furthermore, it allowed me access to communication with other employees instantly or at least more quickly for answers to questions that may arise. Since most of my career has either been professional consulting services implementing enterprise systems or sales engineer selling complex software applications, it made me more efficient in my job to have this mobile access. Even though, I knew my company was monitoring my every move whether that be my emails or websites that I am hitting, it did not take a toll on my inner being or add stress to my life because the access and technology, or company supplied tools, helped me be more successful in my job.

4 comments:

  1. I totally agree with what you wrote in your post. When I worked as the Outside Sales Account Manager, I was given a company laptop, cell phone, and car. I knew that all of these things would be monitored, and if they were used in an inappropriate manner, I would get in trouble. In my opinion, that's how it should be. I do not believe that it is an invasion of privacy if the things that belong to the company are monitored because we are paid to do our work and those items are supposed to be used for business only. I would be upset if my own personal cellphone that I paid for was being monitored by my employer, but if it's the company phone that is being paid for and owned by them, then they should be able to monitor it to ensure that professionalism is maintained.

    I also agree that it is wonderful that these technological innovations are present because they really help with our jobs, whether its talking to prospective clients or doing research for a project. Technology allows greater flexibility and efficiency.

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  3. My experience with work surveillance is somewhat similar to your experiences. Though the company I work for does not provide us with business cell phones or lap tops, they do provide us with a personal business e-mail. They can monitor these e-mails and also listen to our phone conversations for they are recorded, in order to listen to the phone calls we make with the clients and to ensure that we are speaking properly with the clients.

    They also monitor the e-mail and phone calls in order to maintain and make sure that they are being used for business purposes only, and not for our own personal use. For example, in a recent company meeting it was discussed that some employees are taking advantage of the e-mail and phones by having personal side phone calls and e-mails exchanged with other employees in the office discussing non work related issues, which is a problem because we are taking work time and not using it appropriately.

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  4. I agree with your post tremendously. Surveillance and keeping an eye on the employees is something that I am used too. Although I don’t have a high tech job, I am a nanny and I am being watched on cameras and other parents in the neighborhood. They have a “nanny cam” which kind of freaks me out and I think is a little too much. Although I don’t get a laptop or company phone, I do feel monitored in a way.

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