The Road Ahead

Ultimately, it is the role of organizational leaders to define the line between benign and invasive monitoring efforts. The research evidence is clear. Monitoring technologies that collect and distribute too much personal information will lead to perceptions of privacy invasion and unfairness, result in negative attitudes toward the organization, and possibly increase deviant behaviour. Future research must identify the latitude of rejection around monitoring activities and examine whether we can find a balance between the need for monitoring and respecting employees psychological boundaries. However, EPM is not a panacea for what ails organizations. In fact, the growing trend toward electronic monitoring might result in even more serious disciplinary, staffing, and retention problems in the future.

If organizations are truly committed to their employees and are genuinely concerned about their well being, they must question the need to engage in electronic monitoring practices. It is hoped that this chapter has raised awareness about the implications of electronic monitoring and leads to an appreciation for the benefits and consequences that may result.