You’re facing a brave new world these days with the use of technology by your employees – from iPhones and BlackBerries to thumb drives and USB videocams. It’s bad enough when they’re being paid for goofing off and distracting co-workers by surfing the Internet or swapping cell phone photos. But, those irritations pale in comparison to the threat of employees downloading porn and viruses onto your computers, or electronically stealing your databases and business secrets.
And, while you’re trying to keep an eye on what your employees are up to, you can’t forget that they have clearly defined privacy rights under federal and state laws. If you cross any legal lines when monitoring phone calls and e-mails or operating security surveillance in the workplace, you could face embarrassing – and expensive – legal penalties and lawsuits.
During this 90-minute audio conference recording, our expert speaker – an experienced employment attorney who’s dealt with these issues for his clients – will discuss the legal basics of monitoring your employees (and their electronics) effectively and legally. He’ll explain the federal laws that apply in these cases and teach you when – and how – you can safely keep closer tabs on your employees. And, you’ll learn the most common mistakes other employers have made with electronic workplace monitoring, so that you won’t repeat them.
You and your colleagues will learn:
- The basic federal rules that govern electronic monitoring by employers
- What you can do to honor your workers’ rights while you cut down on lost productivity and security breaches
- Which written policies you must give your employees – and how to draft them so that they cover today’s constantly changing technology
- What types of electronic monitoring and surveillance are generally allowed in workplaces (and what’s off limits)
- How to prevent computer- and Internet-related misconduct by employees
- Proven strategies for monitoring workers’ telephone and e-mail use
- What you must do immediately when you suspect employees are using electronics to steal your confidential data
This audio conference was recorded on Tuesday, September 2, 2008
About Your Speaker:
Thomas C. Wigand, SPHR, Esq., is an accomplished management-side employment and labor attorney and human resources professional whose practice focuses on proactive labor and employment law. In addition to his legal experience, he has also served as part of the umbrella management team for a group of auto retailers. He is currently writing a LexisNexis guide to labor and employment law in Rhode Island, and he holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources certification. Wigand received his law degree from Case Western Reserve University.
Approved for Recertification Credit
This program has been approved for 1.5 recertification credit hours toward PHR, SPHR, and GPHR recertification through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HRCI home page at www.hrci.org.
