[Edvard001]

Hello,I like idea of monitoring my employees calls, sms, location and web browsing via cell phone. I've found many companies offering such services. And I noticed is legal to use such a programs on corporative mobile phones? I mean all this privacy regulations.Thank you,Edvard

[Cat1864]

It would depend on where you are located. Laws and regulations vary by state, territory, and country.

[Edvard001]

Okey, but you sure there might be states wich will consider that this is a personal privecy brake in, if cell phones belongs to a company? And are given for a shift time for job purpose

[smoothy]

Lot of Unions would not allow it either... even if local laws did. But all they need to do is use their own personal phone for such things which many people already have and THAT you could not legally do in any country because they own it and they pay for it.

[Cat1864]

The question is essentially a hypothetical without knowing where you are and what laws/regulations affect your business.

For example what I can legally do as an employer in North Carolina, USA may not be legal (or ethical) in Lithuania, Europe. And what an employer in Lithuania can legally do may not be legal in North Carolina.

Then, as smoothy pointed out, you get into contracts with unions and the employees.

[odinn7]

I know nothing about the legality but I can say this...if you think productivity is suffering, just wait until your employees find out that you are spying on them. I worked at a place like this and I can tell you, once this was implemented, we resented it and productivity went right down the toilet. The whole thing backfired. We did our work before we were being watched but once it all happened, nobody was happy with the idea that the boss thought we needed to be watched constantly. We found ways around it and it got much, much worse.

Nobody should feel like they are being spied on for a job. If you feel you need to watch certain people, perhaps they shouldn't be working for you anyway.

[ScottGem]

Corporate cell phones issued and paid for by a company in order to do the job they are hired to do are owned by the company. The company has every right to monitor their use. The cell carrier can give you reports of that usage. Who they called and when and for how long. Who they texted, when and with what message.

However, you need to have a written policy made available to all employees issued phones that explains you will be monitoring the usage of the phones.

[talaniman]

I agree with you Scott, the employee must be informed in writing or via a company handbook of the guidelines, AND penalty of non compliance concerning the usage of company tools and equipment. All workplace rules must be in writing. Verbal orders and secret policies don't go.

But then consider the boss, and managers may be subject to the same rules of conduct, and policy.

[odinn7]

I dropped the ball on this...I misunderstood the original question as it was written and thought the monitoring was going to go beyond just company issued phones.