Maintain your privacy at work
Written by Goh Mei Yi - 30 August 2006
Like it or not, more employers are monitoring staff activities because of increased technology available to employees, such as e-mail and Internet access. Observations can also be made via surveillance cameras and outgoing phone calls.
While some people may feel that keeping tabs on their actions and whereabouts violates their privacy at work, many employers feel that employees must follow company policy regarding personal use of technology since it belongs to the company.
Don't forget that your purpose in the office is to work, so use your discretion when it comes to personal stuff.
Read the staff handbook
Most companies will have a list of policies pertaining to e-mail and Internet usage. If in doubt, always check with HR.
Limit company e-mail for private use
Don't assume your office e-mail is yours to read alone. Someone in your organisation, usually the network administrator, has the authority to watch the e-mail traffic coming and going out of your e-mail account.
Don't send an e-mail you might regret
Technology has made it so easy to spread information. Err on the side of caution when you compose an e-mail, as your recipient might hit the "forward" instead of the "reply" button. If you have something confidential to communicate, call instead of sending an e-mail.
Keep your password private
If you don't want others to gain access to your computer while you're away, keep your login password to yourself. Avoid an easy-to-guess password like "abcdefg".
Don't visit certain websites
Each time you open a web page, you leave an electronic fingerprint which indicates that your computer visited a particular website. But more embarrassingly, your colleagues might catch a glimpse of what lingerie styles you are buying online.
Activate screensaver password
Adjust your computer setting to require a fresh login after a period of inactivity. Don't give others the opportunity to read your mail while you are away from your desk.
Be punctual
If you use a security pass to enter your office building, management can easily trace the time you entered the premises and reported for work. They can use this information to implicate tardy employees if they have to.
Like it or not, more employers are monitoring staff activities because of increased technology available to employees, such as e-mail and Internet access. Observations can also be made via surveillance cameras and outgoing phone calls.
While some people may feel that keeping tabs on their actions and whereabouts violates their privacy at work, many employers feel that employees must follow company policy regarding personal use of technology since it belongs to the company.
Don't forget that your purpose in the office is to work, so use your discretion when it comes to personal stuff.
Read the staff handbook
Most companies will have a list of policies pertaining to e-mail and Internet usage. If in doubt, always check with HR.
Limit company e-mail for private use
Don't assume your office e-mail is yours to read alone. Someone in your organisation, usually the network administrator, has the authority to watch the e-mail traffic coming and going out of your e-mail account.
Don't send an e-mail you might regret
Technology has made it so easy to spread information. Err on the side of caution when you compose an e-mail, as your recipient might hit the "forward" instead of the "reply" button. If you have something confidential to communicate, call instead of sending an e-mail.
Keep your password private
If you don't want others to gain access to your computer while you're away, keep your login password to yourself. Avoid an easy-to-guess password like "abcdefg".
Don't visit certain websites
Each time you open a web page, you leave an electronic fingerprint which indicates that your computer visited a particular website. But more embarrassingly, your colleagues might catch a glimpse of what lingerie styles you are buying online.
Activate screensaver password
Adjust your computer setting to require a fresh login after a period of inactivity. Don't give others the opportunity to read your mail while you are away from your desk.
Be punctual
If you use a security pass to enter your office building, management can easily trace the time you entered the premises and reported for work. They can use this information to implicate tardy employees if they have to.
posted by Benrick Soh @ 2:41 AM
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