Is Your Boss Tracking Your Computer Activities?

In today's world, computer monitoring software has become increasingly common in the workplace. What’s interesting is that, depending on your location, your boss doesn’t even have to tell you that it’s an occurrence in your company. Therefore, how can you know if computer viewer software is being used to monitor you at work?

What Exactly Is Employee Monitoring?

If you’re reading this article, you probably know all about employee monitoring devices and how they work. But, some of you may don’t and therefore we’ll just briefly cover all aspects of employee monitoring.

A software such as this offers a lot to your employer. First of all, it allows them to control your work. This sounds scary, but it's not necessarily a negative thing. Surely you yourself have once met a colleague who tried to avoid work in every way possible. This is exactly why such software exists. With the help of it, your manager can clearly see who’s working and who isn’t, as well as exactly how much time they spend on non-productive tasks. Therefore, further activities can be undertaken to improve the work of the entire collective and create a  healthier work environment.

Also, screen monitoring software for PC goes hand in hand with productivity. It has been proven that when you have someone who’s looking over you when you work, you tend to be more productive. It’s simple, you don’t want to avoid work when your boss is watching you. And more productivity equals better overall performance of the whole business, which is what the goal is. 

Clues About Monitoring

Now that we got out of the way how does monitoring software work, we can focus on certain clues which indicate that you’re being monitored (if you weren’t aware of it):

• Check your company’s handbook or your contract

This is probably where you should start. Your contract or the company’s handbook may have policies stating how exactly your actions are being monitored (this may include spying on emails sent and received with the company devices, phone calls and even social media screening). The companies often outline that the working computers and smartphones aren’t for private use, so don’t be surprised when the facts from your private emails suddenly pop up in conversation. If your social media is monitored, it’s a good idea to have another page for private conversations and use it outside of work.

• Ask the IT department

Be straightforward. You know all about software to monitor activity on a computer and ask you IT department openly about monitoring. They usually have an information if a tool like this is being used in your company. 

• Check the running processes at your computer

This is what most people firstly do if they have any technical knowledge. Open your control tab and find out which processes are running while your PC is on. The chances are that you’ll be able to clearly see which one is performing mostly and in many cases you aren’t even aware of it.

• The boss recalls conversations or facts which you thought were private

If your supervisor mentions something related to your professional or private life but you don’t remember saying this to any of your colleagues, there might be a spy at some of your devices.  The boss has probably read your emails, either professional or private, or scanned your phone calls. Remember that anything you send can hurt you later, for example, the boss will reprimand you for an emotional comment about his leadership style, and sometimes situations like these can even force you to resign.

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Conclusion

To sum up, your boss might or might not watch over you. So, if you want to play safe and don’t take any chances, the best bet would be that you behave as you are being watched. That way you won’t be overthinking it and your boss won’t have anything even slightly suspicious to turn on you. 

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