Technology In The Workplace
Ethical Practices of Computer and Internet Technology in the Work Place
Computer and Internet technology use in the workplace gives rise to questionable ethical practices among employees as well as managers. For the last three (plus) decades the increasing availability and advances in technology has improved productivity; however the use of computers and Internet in the workplace leads to temptation to misuse the resource for personal gain.
Employees and managers accessing private employee information for personal gain, improper data access to those who are not privy to it and software copying were a few of the concerns discussed in the 30 year old article Computer Ethics: Questions Arise on Misuse in Business (Pollack, 1983).
The social media boom of the last decade has brought with it additional questionable ethical violations in the workplace. Time stealing is discussed in the New York Times online article Opting to Blow the Whistle or Choosing to Walk Away …show more content…
I would ascertain that if privacy is violated for personal gain or technology or work product is stolen as stated in the first article, it is most definitely ethical violation. As far time stealing, where the line gets fuzzier, it should be judged on whether the time spent on Internet or social media has any impact on the productivity of the employee or benefit to their specific job. If the time spent, even if partially for personal social contact but does indirectly improve a business relationship then maybe that time spent is ethically ok. Or if music boosts moral while the employee is at work and makes them more efficient it is a benefit and not stealing. But if it is ultimately draining the resources of the company and the employee is unproductive due to the personal use of the computer or Internet technology, the practice then becomes an ethical
Computer and Internet technology use in the workplace gives rise to questionable ethical practices among employees as well as managers. For the last three (plus) decades the increasing availability and advances in technology has improved productivity; however the use of computers and Internet in the workplace leads to temptation to misuse the resource for personal gain.
Employees and managers accessing private employee information for personal gain, improper data access to those who are not privy to it and software copying were a few of the concerns discussed in the 30 year old article Computer Ethics: Questions Arise on Misuse in Business (Pollack, 1983).
The social media boom of the last decade has brought with it additional questionable ethical violations in the workplace. Time stealing is discussed in the New York Times online article Opting to Blow the Whistle or Choosing to Walk Away …show more content…
I would ascertain that if privacy is violated for personal gain or technology or work product is stolen as stated in the first article, it is most definitely ethical violation. As far time stealing, where the line gets fuzzier, it should be judged on whether the time spent on Internet or social media has any impact on the productivity of the employee or benefit to their specific job. If the time spent, even if partially for personal social contact but does indirectly improve a business relationship then maybe that time spent is ethically ok. Or if music boosts moral while the employee is at work and makes them more efficient it is a benefit and not stealing. But if it is ultimately draining the resources of the company and the employee is unproductive due to the personal use of the computer or Internet technology, the practice then becomes an ethical