Nothing at Work is Private

ALWAYS WATCHING...

Today's workplace allows more freedom for distractions with Internet access, instant messaging, streaming video accounts, and constant text messaging/emails on cellphones and tablets.  If the employer pays for cell phone bills or corporate email is allowed to be viewed on the cell phone, nothing on the phone is private nor confidential.  If you have a job that offers a car, corporate credit card, or laptop, there is nothing confidential about what is done with these company properties.  In a nutshell, if anything is being paid for by the company or information is disseminated to a device, there is no privacy.  Anything that is done on the devices, corporate credit cards, and cars/vehicles can be reviewed and used against you as violating corporate policy.

So how do you keep your life private at work?

1. Bring your own wireless connectivity to the office.  Clear, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile all sell WiFi "personal routers" that allow minimally 5 devices to connect.  This removes the need to log into the employers' guest Internet account and prevents blatant knowledge of websites surfed or financial information reviewed with online banking accounts.
2. Separate personal and private phone usage across different devices.  Keep personal life separate.  Don't give this phone number out to anyone - boss, co-worker, director, etc.  Request a work phone that can be used strictly for business emails and phone calls.  Do not text, make any personal calls, tweet, or check Facebook on this business phone.  The entire activity on the phone and all messages can be downloaded by the security intelligence group at any company.
3. Keep business expenses on the corporate credit card.  Whether the charges will be paid off by the due date or not, it is always open for review and analysis of spending.  You don't want a shopping binge at the latest sports stadium or a trip to South Beach (that you could have paid for with cash or personal credit card) to cost you a job and reduce the future likelihood of being able to take care of financial responsibilities.  
4. Leave the company car at the office or home for personal errands.  The employer pays the tolls, gas, insurance, and registration for the vehicle.  Best believe, they can track mileage, speed, and location at a whim.  If anything happens to the car, they are responsible but you will be warned or fired.  If there are personal errands or family activities that you can't miss, hitch a ride with a friend, take a cab, get another job to be able to afford a 2nd family car, or miss the event.  And if anyone does not understand, tell them take note that the job pays the bills not the event, school, or extracurricular activity.

You can still have a life, employment, and fun.  The employment should be something enjoyed and also a motivation to live a fulfilled life.  But intermingling the two can cause embarrassment and loss of work but that hurts both the professional and private lives.

Posted in: confidentiality,employment practices,New Employment,privacy,security,security rules