How to identify a toxic culture before accepting a job

How to identify a toxic culture before accepting a jobHow to identify a toxic culture before accepting a jobYou did it. You landed the bewerberinterview for a job that seems to check all the boxes. The salary is right and the job description is in your wheelhouse. As exciting as it is to get called in for an interview, you dont have the job yet.When the day of the interview comes, youll face a whirlwind of questions from your potential employer to help them determine if youre a good fit. Most interviews focus heavily on necessary skills, but theres more to a job than that.How do you know if youre walking into a toxic environment?When being interviewed, you should already be looking for indicators to decide if this is the right job for you. There isnt a one-size-fits-all solution to finding a toxic culture before you get hired, but there are some flags you can look for during the interview process to help you make a better decision.Listen to whats not being saidAccording to studies pe rformed by UCLAs Professor Emeritus of Psychology Albert Mehrabian, only about 7% of communication comes from the actual words spoken. The other 93% comes from body language (55%) and tone of voice (38%).Knowing this, make a note of how people are communicating during your initial office tour. Is there a sense of fear or panic in their body language or tone of voice? Or is there a genuine excitement and passion?Another warning sign of a toxic culture comes when people need to eat meals at their desk.As youre taking the tour, look - or smell - for signs of this. When leadership doesnt have a good process in place for scaling, people are left scrambling.Take a restroom breakAs silly as it sounds, you can tell a lot about the companys culture by how well maintained their bathroom is. World-renowned chef Anthony Bourdain wrote in his book Kitchen Confidential about the importance of keeping the restroom clean. If they dont, it leads to the phantasie running wild with what the kitchen might look like.The same concept can be applied to jobs outside of the restaurant industry.If theres an empty toilet paper roll, thats a red flag. If someone didnt care enough about the next person to take a few seconds out of their day to change the roll, what does that say about how they work together? This can be the sign of a culture where not taking the responsibility for each others well-being is commonplace.Ask cultural questions in the interviewTheres always time to ask questions either during an interview or as youre being given the office tour. Take advantage of these opportunities to get a peek into the culture.A great place to start is by asking about their core values. In a positive company culture, everyone can identify what the core values are and what they mean. Are they real values or are they just used as decoration hanging on the wall around the office? For example, if Trust is a core value but you noticed people locking up the belongings on their desk during your office tour, thats a red flag for a toxic culture.Sometimes you can get an idea of how strong a companys culture is,by how much they try to guard it during the interview. As the gatekeepers to the culture, are your interviewers asking you questions that are helping them decide if youre a cultural fit? Or are they entirely focused on your skillset and just looking to check off the boxes to get the job filled?Every company gives their employees a basic paycheck, but few go further to truly build a culture that matters. As youre looking for a new place to work, keep this in mind as you think beyond the size of the paycheck and the skills to do the job. Some people can endure a toxic work environment. Some might be able to do great work under negative conditions. But you shouldnt have to. Life is too short to not love the place you work.Piyush Patel is theauthor of Lead Your Tribe, Love Your Work An Entrepreneurs Guide to Creating a Culture That Matters

ASME Online Voting Procedures Society Officer Ballot

ASME Online Voting Procedures Society Officer Ballot ASME Online Voting Procedures - Society Officer Ballot ASME Online Voting Procedures - Society Officer BallotSept. 22, 2017 This month, ASME members should have received an e-mail that includes information on how to log into the ballot page, hosted on ASME.org, and vote for the Societys new president and members of the Board of Governors. ASME members who do notlage have an e-mail address, as well as members whose e-mails get bounced back, will be sent a hard copy ballot along with online voting instructions.Members are advised to check their ASME records to ensure that their e-mail address is up-to-date or to add an e-mail address if one is currently not on file. To check on your current e-mail address or update it, please go to your Membership and Benefits page on asme.org (click here for instructions), or contact ASME Customer Care by phone at (800) 843-2763 for members in the United States and Canada, 001-800-843-2763 for m embers in Mexico, or (800) 843-2763 for international members.Questions about the online voting procedure should be submitted to RuthAnn Bigley, ASME Governance, by e-mail at bigleyrasme.org.

Sustainability Will Unite Employer and Jobseeker Interests

Sustainability Will Unite Employer and Jobseeker InterestsSustainability Will Unite Employer and Jobseeker InterestsThe increasing desire to translate personal eco-awareness into career ambitions is now being met with a similargrowth in demand for an alternative skilled workforce among many leadingcompanies. As we follow these job market trends, our sustainabilityconsulting believes the convergence of geschftliches miteinander sustainability value andpersonal sustainability interest could be a stabilizing force in the global jobmarket. As any job seeker knows, there are a number of factors that go into theselection of an ideal candidate, and the definition of ideal may just be changing. Our professional consulting experienceleads us to believe that many of the businesses currently reducing their workforcewill soon be returning to the job pool in search new talent. Theselection criteria that define the next generation may be very different thanthey have been in the past.When asked a bout green job qualifications, we advise job seekers tonot over think it. Target companies with similar values and proactively alignpersonal interests with the companys business sustainability value drivers.Highlight personal interests and passions for businesssustainability.Stress a record of accomplishment in applying sustainability concepts inbusiness.Correlate past successes with similar businesssustainability initiatives within the organization.Explicitly define how your unique passion could directlybenefit the company.In todays environment, businesses resources are often verylimited. Building and motivating top talent has become critical to both short andlong-term business sustainability. Combining traditional businessfunctions with aligned passions for sustainability, both employers andemployees set themselves up to win.Sustainabilityexpert, Julie Urlaub is the founder and managing partner of Taiga Company. She writes,speaks, blogs and consults on how changing the way you look at something canchange your results and your world. Shes a superstar green blogger, 2010Shorty Award Runner Up on Twitter in the Green category (with over 15,000followers), and works with companies to address the green/sustainabilitypressures in a way that strengthens themcapitalizing on the opportunities andmitigating the risk.Relevant Reading The Two Green Jobs Most In Demand With Employers, Why Green is the Next Great Job Market

21 hobbies highly successful people do in their spare time

21 hobbies highly successful people do in their spare time21 hobbies highly successful people do in their spare timeThe most successful people know tzu siche is more to life than simply eating, sleeping, and working.Everyone needs to enjoy some downtime every now and then, and making the most of your free time by taking up a hobby can even help make you more successful.Playing a musical instrument, for example, can stimulate your creativity, analytical skills, and fine motor skills. Reading can boost different types of intelligence and exercising can help with mental acuity.Warren Buffett plays the ukulele while other take up different creative hobbies, like George W. Bushs affinity for painting and Marissa Mayers preference for baking. Others enjoy hobbies that require more thinking and strategy Richard Branson plays chess, Bill Gates plays bridge, and Condoleeza Rice plays golf.For a little inspiration, here are the hobbies of 21 highly successful peopleRichard Branson plays chessB ranson is well-known for his adventurous side, and youve likely seen many a photo of the Virgin Group founder kitesurfing and hanging out on the high seas. But perhaps his favorite hobby is far more of a mental activity.I think chess may just be the best game in the world, he writes on Virgins blog. It combines the greatest aspects of many different sports - tactics, planning, bravery, and risk-taking - plus you can have a cup of tea and often a stimulating conversation while you playBranson says hes likely played thousands of games in his lifetime, and he tells The Telegraph afternoons on Necker Island are always spent on the beach, oftentimes playing chess with his kids.Jack Dorsey hikesIn 2011, when Dorsey welches running Twitter and Square full-time for the first time, the cofounder told the audience at Techonomy 2011 that, to get it all done, he gave each day a theme. This allowed him to quickly recall and refocus on the days task once distractions were out of the way.Dorsey said he would dedicate his Saturdays to hiking.Meryl Streep knitsThe award-winning actress says she loves to knit, and shes even said to have hand-knitted the shawl she wore in the movie Doubt.Streep admits that she spends much of her time on set knitting and finds the hobby to be therapeutic For me it was a place to gather my thoughts and understand the contemplative (life) its a sort of clearing out place.In fact, tons of celebrities, especially actors who have plenty of time to kill on set between takes, love to spend their free time knitting. The list includes Julia Roberts, Ryan Gosling, and Christina Hendricks.Kate Middleton colorsIn recent years, adult coloring books have taken the world by storm, with titles like Johanna Basfords Secret Garden topping Amazons bestselling books list.According to her husband, Prince William, even the Duchess of Cambridge is susceptible to the allure of coloring.Proponents for the emerging trend suggest coloring as an alternative to meditation and mindfulness practices, saying the practice can help reduce stress and organize ones thoughts.Bill Gates plays bridgeGates has a few hobbies that he considers old-fashioned, and the billionaire tells Reddit he is an avid bridge player.He also loves playing tennis, and considers spending time with his kids a favorite pastime.George W. Bush paintsIt turns out that the former US President is also a prolific painter, having painted more than 50 puppies, numerous landscapes, and at least 30 world leaders.Bush took up painting after leaving office in 2009 and spent a month in Florida learning the art from a Georgia-based painter.Ray Dalio practices Transcendental MeditationAs geschftlicher umgang Insiders Rich Feloni reported, the Bridgewater Associates founder has said the practice of Transcendental Meditation is the single biggest influence on his life.Dalio began practicing Transcendental Meditation in 1969 as a college student after seeing the Beatless fascination with it. Since t hen, Dalio has brought the practice to his employees, and waves of Wall Street bankers and investors are signing up for lessons.Tom Hanks collects vintage typewritersAs Business Insider previously reported, the actor and filmmaker has been collecting vintage typewriters since 1978, and he uses one every day because he loves the sound, feeling, and permanence that comes with typing on one.Everything you type on a typewriter sounds grand, the words forming in mini-explosions of SHOOK SHOOK SHOOK. A thank-you note resonates with the same heft as a literary masterpiece, Hanks writes for The New York Times.Sergey Brin is an adrenaline junkieIn his spare time, the Google cofounder likes to push his body to the limit in any way he can. This includes roller hockey, ultimate Frisbee, gymnastics, skydiving, and high-flying trapeze.Marissa Mayer bakesThe Yahoo CEO tells San Francisco magazine that shes always loved baking.I think its because Im very scientific. The best cooks are chemists, she says. She takes a practical approach to her baking, and has created spreadsheets analyzing cupcake and frosting recipes.My hobbies actually make me better at work, she says. They help me come up with new and innovative ways of looking at things.Steve Wozniak plays polo on a SegwayApparently, Segway polo is a thing, and the Apple cofounder is the namesake of one of the sports major world tournaments, Woz Challenge Cup, the World Cup of Segway polo. The game is played in four quarters, and five players on each gruppe try to get a rubber ball past the opponents goalie.Segway polo is the one thing I will block off my calendar for, Wozniak tells Quartz.Tim Gunn soaks up artThe Project Runway cohost and mentor told The New York Times that he spends every Sunday at the Metropolitan Museum - I stay there basically until the museum is about to close.He dons a suit - I want to prepare myself properly - and walks through Central Park to get there.Im a huge lover of art, he explained. I go to the Greek and Roman galleries first. Ill choose different objects to fixate upon. A trip to the Met can be very emotional. There are paintings there that just lift me off the ground. I feel buoyant.He then heads to the Balcony Lounge for a glass or two of wine and tea sandwiches and pulls out his iPad to research what hes just seen. I have become insatiable on the topic of ancient Rome.Warren Buffet plays the ukuleleAccording to Forbes, the Berkshire Hathaway CEOs love for the ukulele spans decades.Buffett often uses his musical talent for good and has donated instruments and lessons to childrens clubs in Omaha and given performances for charity.Angelina Jolie collects weaponsAs previously reported on Business Insider, Jolie is another Hollywood actor with a unique hobby She collects knives with her family.Jolie tells W Magazine that her mom introduced her to daggers when she was a kid, and that she has passed this hobby on to her son, Maddox. She says the knife blades she gives him are dulled so he cant hurt himself, and that their dagger purchases are always accompanied by discussions about violence.In another interview with Conan OBrien, Jolie shows off her skills with a butterfly knife and explains that her fascination with weapons comes from the history behind them Theres just something beautiful about them.Larry Ellison sailsWhen Charlie Rose interviewed the Oracle CTO and former CEO about his addiction to winning Americas Cup yacht race, Ellison replied, I dont smoke, but I do sail.As Business Insider previously reported, Ellison took a sailing course shortly after moving to California in 1966 at the age of 22, and by 25 he owned his first boat, a 34-foot-long racing sloop.Oprah Winfrey readsWhen Winfreys not working, shes reading.Nothing, not one thing or activity, can replace the experience of a good read - being transported to a different land, a different realm, through words and language, she wrote on her website.She also spends time curating her famous Oprah Book Club, which has helped books reach bestselling status in the past.Michelle Obama runsThe former first lady previously said in a chat that one of her hobbies is exercising just to keep moving. Shes even known to wake up at 430 a.m. to hit the treadmill for a run, according to The New York Times.Thats not surprising considering her Lets Move public health campaign, which aimed to promote healthy living among kids.Anna Wintour plays tennisAnna Wintour reportedly wakes up at 5 a.m. to hit the tennis court before heading into the Vogue offices. She takes lessons at the Midtown Tennis Club in Manhattan, according to The Cut.Shes even left fashion week early to attend tennis matches and is a regular attendee at the US Open, Wimbledon Championship, and French Open tournaments.Shes also friends with Roger Federer, according to Fashionista. Karl Lagerfeld reportedly built a tennis court on his property to convince her to visit the French coast.Nicole Kidman gardensIn an interview with Vogue, Kidman said of her life in Tennessee We have a farm there, and I have an organic vegetable garden. This is a path Id not taken before. My mums always gardened. My sister gardens. And Ive now conformed to the Kidman womens hobby of gardening. And it is just a hobby.In July, she shared a photo on Instagram of her homegrown roses with the caption, belastung of my homegrown roses this summer.Condoleeza Rice golfsThe former Secretary of State picked up golf at the age of 50 when her cousins husband gave her golfing lessons on the range.Its actually also a thinking-persons game, Rice told Golf Digest. I find that I enjoy walking from shot to shot and deciding how Im going to get out of this or that trouble. I just enjoy the strategy of it.David Solomon DJsCEO of Goldman Sachs David Solomon goes by D-Sol at night when hes pursuing his side hobby as a DJ at clubs around Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Hamptons.When people started seeing I had this hobby and was into music , a 24 year-old analyst would say Hey David, I saw your post on this and I heard your track, he said during a panel for Fortunes Most Powerful Women Summit.They want to connect with you, talk about how they got to the firm. Its about being menschlich and opening yourself up. We all used to keep our private lives so separated from what we were doing in business and thats changed.Hes also said that finding and exploring a passion is crucial to longevity in a career known for grinding people down and burning them out with its long hours and endless travel.Thisarticle first appeared on Business Insider.

What You Should Do to Find Out About Genius App Before Youre Left Behind

What You Should Do to Find Out About Genius App Before Youre Left Behind The app will scan your phone and explain to you how many songs youve got. Based on the amount of songs, the download can take a good deal of time. When the download is completed, its completed. Root Genius apk download is quite easy and effortless. Root genius apk asks a computer or PC to install it upon your android device for the reason that it works on windows. Employing root device is quite useful but at the very same time, its risky too. The terrific quality of Root Genius apk is it can reverse its action. Click the install to begin the installation procedure for Root Genius apk. Makeup shoppers know that with so many choices, choosing the most suitable shade can be difficult. On the contrary, it means choosing products that are useful, valued and will serve a goal. Consumers can choose a look they like and directly order the correct products with only the press of a button. You have the choi ce to try full looks that LOreal has created, or simply individual products if you want. For instance, you may set a rule that transfers $5 to a goal every single time you go to Starbucks. Other users searching for a game would then be capable of seeing the events around them for a given sport, and discover somewhere to acquire their ball on. It can be difficult to begin running again, or for the very first time. You might even have a difficult time convincing yourself you dont actually have the makeup on. The Dos and Donts of Genius App Appification of learning alters the standard modes in a lot of ways, and their benefits arent very tricky to spot. Although website graders are definitely the most prevalent type of the implementation of graders, there are a lot more possibilities. If youre traveling abroad, you can get a number in the nation youre visiting so that you can be readily contacted by locals. There are a lot of approaches to share. The Unexpected Truth About Genius App In addition, it claims to get software which could predict the upcoming massive cryptocurrency boom. You dont have to come up with some genius app. If youre not running the most recent version of the app, make certain that you update it The newest version of the app is extremely straightforward, fast and straightforward. The selfie game wont ever be the exact same again. It will never be the same again I bet Please be aware that rooting isnt recommended to the users especially if you dont have any antivirus on your android device to guard you from viruses and malware. Jamie Zawinski (sometimes referred to as jwz) is considered by many people to be among the best programmers out there. All you need to do is search for your app personenname and it will make an attractive landing page for your cellular app. The One Thing to Do for Genius App Typically, it ought to be below the download folder of your device. Data is simply readily available for pages that already have a minumum of one annotation. You can also scan long after scanning your documents too. You are also able to earn a copy when do not have any copier. Genius App Furthermore, you can put rules for each account based on how fast you need to reach certain goals. A user could invite other people to get involved in the Trekd planning. Todays customers know when you arent paying attention and when you are only throwing out cheesy pick-up lines. Everything about the system is intended to make you the utmost sum of profit off of crypto trades. Why Almost Everything Youve Learned About Genius App Is Wrong The organization recognizes that each smoker differs, which is the reason why the app involves a substantial assortment of personalized interactive exercises that promote self-reflection when assisting you to change your thoughts. Our mobile devices are now steadily more involved in the procedure for searching for new merchandise and solutions. The app is a good resource for customers in the consideration phase of the purchasing cycle. The Instagram campaign was also run as a component of testing out the waters to check whether the platform proved to be a viable alternative for acquiring new users. Becoming in a standort to adapt to consumer behavior and new technologies while keeping up a strong customer focus is vital to great marketing. Given that Content Marketing is now all of the rage, theres no lack of emerging models and frameworks being developed on the best way to take into consideration the brand funded content space. Finally, innovation is essential for great marketing because therell always be room to enhance brand relationships and experience with consumers. Judging by the aforementioned examples, its very clear that innovation is an amazingly valuable commodity for digital-era brands. It is possible to also force a synchronization working with the ONLINE SYNC option in the app menu. You will be able to root your device with only a one-click. The majority of the channels are offered in HD. Some options arent readily available to all devices.

Why Nobody Is Discussing Information Technology Resume Writing Services Nyc and What You Need to Do Today

Why Nobody Is Discussing Information Technology Resume Writing Services Nyc and What You Need to Do Today Introducing Information Technology Resume Writing Services Nyc You only need to prepare a productive cover letter if you prefer to secure a fantastic job. Choosing a professional resume writer is a worthwhile investment and might even prove to be among the best decisions in your career. Employing a Professional Resume Writer is an excellent idea for the majority of professionals since resume writing is a distinctive skill. It is quite easy to find examples for resumes which are job specific. What Does Information Technology Resume Writing Services Nyc Mean? Some businesses will hire employees that have a high school diploma or GED, for as long as they have solid expertise in IT. For example, in CV, if youre applying for work in education, youre in a position to want to make your coaching experience in plus-rechnen to the CV. Executive resume writing consists of a comp rehensive description of expertise and distinctive skills. Resumes are made to emphasize the best side of somebody. The Key to Successful Information Technology Resume Writing Services Nyc For instance, a sales professional might include details about their private approach to selling and a succinct explanation on the efficiency of that approach. Last, the organization should promise to make because many revisions and edits as crucial to produce certain that you love your new resume. It is possible to also gather salary information from quite a few on-line sources, the majority of which are listed on the helpful links in our site www.gpcvservices.co.uk. Ask to see samples of prior resumes, which can help you get a sense for the caliber of the services work. Are you stuck on the best way to begin your resume. The website should explain fees and supply you with a fantastic idea of the way the service works. Computer technicians generally work independently, for a company or company, or inside a computer mechanic. Scannable resumes need specific page designs because computer scanners cannot read certain products. The Benefits of Information Technology Resume Writing Services Nyc The absolute most talented writing management is dedicated to assist you, interview and worldwide executive resume writing services in your insurance plan. Some conduct a telephone interview. Attempt to use industry-specific terminology to demonstrate your expertise in addition to more accessible language, since the individual reading your resume may not have extensive understanding of your area. In virtually all instances, the reply is yes. The Pain of Information Technology Resume Writing Services Nyc When applying for work, its advisable to phone beforehand and figure out if the business youre applying to scans their resume submissions. Writing a competitive application document demands a whole lot of effort. however, it surely pays off. Application Advice for Keeping It Up-To-Date When you submit an application to find a work these days, its very probable that you might have to be proficient in some type of technology or maybe software program. The illustration will help make certain that you compose a resume of your own that will decidedly be correct and in the correct format.

Celebrating International Womens Day with Male Lawyers

Celebrating International Womens Day with Male LawyersCelebrating International Womens Day with Male LawyersToday, International Womens Day celebrates its 100th year. For female lawyers and law students, today may mean mentoring lunches, presentations on succeeding in the legal industry and cocktail parties to celebrate womens achievements in our field. Events like these are critical for an industry that has no problem attracting women but cant seem to hold onto them in the higher ranks. According to Catalyst, women composed 44% of the 2008-2009 law school class, and women make up nearly 1 out of every 2 law firm associates, but only 1 out of every 6 equity partners.With an abundant swimmingpool of female peers, but few women role models in the partnership, women associates are left wondering why so few women are in the leadership ranks and what that means for them. Addressing why women arent at the top and what the new wave of female associates can do to change that is a crucial dia logue. But the conversation shouldnt be restricted to women associates and partners. How can we move from male-dominated leadership in law firms to a more equal balance of male and female partners if we dont involve men in the conversations?On this International Womens Day and this month of celebrating womens history, I say we bring men into the loop. Of course, the purpose of many womens events is to promote mentoring and opportunities for women so that women can build their careers. Im bedrngnis saying we should discard these events. But we absolutely should host events on womens issues that welcome both male and female attendees. When it comes to topics like lack of women leadership, pay disparities and perceptions of female lawyers in the workplace, many women have already heard the discouraging data. But our male colleagues arent always as aware of the hurdles women attorneys face, and even if they are supportive of womens progress, they may not realize the effect leadership an d perceptions may have on their female colleagues.So why not celebrate National Womens Day with some inclusion? Plan a few events throughout the year that focus on leadership, pay gaps, perceptions and other related topics, and involve men in the discussion. These arent just womens issuestheyre industry issues.Catalyst SourceRead More Female Lawyers Only Argue 15 Percent of SCOTUS Cases but Thats Better than NothingFOLLOW VAULT LAW ON TWITTER VaultLaw

How I have been blocking my own success (and how you might be doing the same)

How I have been blocking my own success (and how you might be doing the same) How I have been blocking my own success (and how you might be doing the same) A few days ago, one of my Facebook friends asked this question What assumptions are holding you back?The question stopped me in my tracks because just a week earlier, I had decided to drop several long-held assumptions and go public with my artwork.I have always drawn and painted, and over the last year I have become much more committed to my art work. But still, almost no one had ever seen it.What assumptions were holding me back all that time? Too many, Im afraid.Here are just some of them No one will want to see my work. Its not good enough. Black and white art isnt real art. Im not a real artist because I have a full-time job. People might hate my drawings the list goes on and on.And then over the last few weeks, a series of things happened that changed the way I felt. I attended a talk on creativity and came away inspired. A relative stranger saw one of my pictures and gave genuine and heartfelt praise. I watched a video about a successful artist who only started painting at the age of 60. I read the book Choose Yourself by James Altucher and realized I hadnt done that in the past (If you havent read it, I recommend it as a though-provoking, if sometimes a little crazy, jolt of inspiration).And all these events came together like bricks making a wall and I started to wonder why dont I try this? Whats the worst that could happen? I will still run Blue Sky, so I wont starve if I fail. The only risk is that my feelings will get hurt if people dont like my work.So I platzset up a Facebook page for my art and paid for a small advertising campaign to test reactions. I figured if no one liked it, I could delete the page and move on. Id only be down a bruised ego and about $30.And to my genuine amazement, it turns out lots of those assumptions were completely wrong. Ive been overwhelmed with positive comments , kind words and even with gallery opportunities. It seems I was wrong that people dont want black and white art, and wrong that Im not good enough, and wrong that Im not a real artist because I also have a job.And now it has me wondering if all those assumptions are wrong, what other self-limiting beliefs am I clinging on to?And if I have all these self-limiting beliefs, what about you? What assumptions are holding YOU back?The cow in the drawing is one I saw yesterday. She was standing right at the barbed wire fence looking out mournfully. Shed have loved to explore the next field, but she couldnt go any further.She reminds me of me just a few weeks ago.Maybe she reminds you of you?

Electronic Surveillance of Employees Is Not a Positive

Electronic Surveillance of Employees Is Not a PositiveElectronic Surveillance of Employees Is Not a PositiveElectronic surveillance of employees is increasing every year, according to the Electronic Monitoring and Surveillance Survey, done by the American Management Association (AMA) and The ePolicy Institute each year between 2001 and 2007. In an earlier article, Surfing the Web at Work, the status of employee monitoring and some of the reasons why employers might want to monitor employee email and internet use welches reviewed. The article also reviewed the consequences both employees and employers are experiencing in the workplace because of inappropriate use of electronic equipment, email, and the internet. There are pros and cons of the electronic surveillance of employees at work. This review of the pros and cons of electronic surveillance of employees at work will help employers decide what is best for their organization. Not every workforce, workplace, or work culture and env ironment is a candidate for electronic surveillance at work. In fact, in some work environments, depending upon the culture and environment desired, electronic surveillance of employees would injure trust, injure relationships, and send powerfully wrong messages to the workforce. Pros of Electronic Surveillance of Employees at Work Powerful reasons exist to monitor employee online behavior at work. These reasons are compelling for many employers and understandable as organizations are observed. Organizations seek to protect themselves and their employees from the illegal, immoral, and problematic distribution of content and the visitation of non-work sites while employees are working. A small manufacturing company, while using electronic surveillance of employees, found out that an employee had been watching pornographic movies at work. He welches walked from his cubicle to his car, just thirty minutes after HR discovered how he had been spending his time at work. (The appropria te policies prohibiting this behavior were in place and he had been trained.) In aleidher experience in a small manufacturing company, employees complained that their supervisor welches wellenreiten the web during most of the business day. The network administrator confirmed that the supervisor was visiting job board sites, doing online banking, shopping, chatting and posting on message boards, reading recipe sites, and spending hours in personal email for over six hours a day. How Should a Company React to Problematic Online Behavior? On the day the company was prepared to fire this employee, the employee gave notice and reached with the company an agreement about an orderly, mutually beneficial transition. In yet another experience in a small company, it was discovered that an employee had been doing her ancillary bookkeeping for her personal business on company time and in her company-provided computer. The employee gave notice and was escorted from the premises. The employee later begged to have this material back and the employer kindly provided the records. With these examples in mind, note that electronic surveillance of employees at work can yield results that are beneficial to the employer. Note also that in none of these three companies was the electronic surveillance of employees practiced. But, frequent IT intervention was practiced. Suspicious behavior by the employees in question prompted the review of electronic records. So, many employers have the capacity to use electronic surveillance of employees but choose not to practice electronic surveillance. More About Putting Employees Under Surveillance Additional reasons exist to place employees under electronic surveillance at work. These are key reasons. Productivity issues are an employer concern.The nature of the sites that employees visit concerns employers because of their potential to be seen as creating a hostile work environment. The same problem exists with employee-forwarded email and jokes. Employers want to trust their employees to practice good judgment but their experiences indicate that they dont always exercise good judgment. Employers are concerned about creating an environment of harassment if employees surf to inappropriate places and share the URLs. Employers are concerned about their ability to produce email and web records to defend against lawsuits. They need records to defend against lawsuits. Litigation is a serious issue to employers, said Nancy Flynn, executive director of The ePolicy Institute and author of The ePolicy Handbook, 2nd Edition (AMACOM, 2008) and other internet-related books. Concern over litigation and the role electronic evidence plays in lawsuits and regulatory investigations has spurred mora employers to monitor online activity, Flynn advised Workers e-mail and other electronically stored information create written business records that are the electronic equivalent of DNA evidence. Flynn noted that 24% of employers have ha d email subpoenaed by courts and regulators and another 15% have battled workplace lawsuits triggered by employee email, according to the 2006 AMA / ePolicy research. To help control the risk of litigation, security breaches and other electronic disasters, employers should take advantage of monitoring and blocking technology to battle people problems-including the accidental and intentional misuse of computer systems and other electronic resources. Cons of Electronic Surveillance of Employees at Work There are powerful reasons why an employer might not want to use electronic surveillance of employees. Manny Avramidis, senior vice president of global human resources for the AMA, says that this decision depends on the company and the work environment an employer wants to create Depending on the level of freedom allowed in a company or the type of employer, electronic surveillance of employees may not be desirable. Companies that employ new college grads, who have absolutely blurre d lines and are online all day, are an example. In fact, 99% of the population will be fine without electronic surveillance fewer than one percent of employees are causing the damage that allows all of the schwimmbad stuff for employers to kick in. Avramidis said that electronic surveillance of employees can affect the working relationship between an employer and employee. For the employee who is doing the right thing and focusing on work and using technology moderately for personal use, electronic surveillance will have no impact. For bad employees, electronic surveillance will put a strain on their relationship with their employer.A major concern of some employers is the potential damage to a work culture that fosters trust and employee commitment and motivation. Electronic surveillance of employees appears incongruent with such an environment. According to Avramidis, Employees judged on the results of their work are spending more time online doing personal things to managethe per sonalbusiness. There is a cross-over between where work leaves off and the personal work begins. The concern becomes real for employers when an employee is not meeting goals, or not living up to expectations. In fact, for committed employees, there is as much cross-over athome between work and personal businessas there is at work. That is part of thediscretionary energy, the energy that employees voluntarily contribute above and beyond expectations, that employers hope to earn. Indeed, employees spend an average of 3.7 hours a week on the Web for personal activities at work and 5.9 hours a week online at home doing work-related tasks, according to a study by the University of Marylands Smith School of Business and Rockbridge Associates, a market research firm based in Great Falls, Virginia. The final reason why employers may not want to use electronic surveillance of employees is employee privacy. According to Eric J. Sinrod, a partner in the San Francisco office of Duane Morris, wh ere he specializes in technology and litigation matters,employee concerns about electronic surveillanceare legitimate. Still, workers have legitimate concerns that their privacy rights might be invaded. The primary federal statute in this area is the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 (ECPA). The ECPA, codified at 18 U.S.C. 101 et seq., bars the intentional interception of any wire, oral or electronic communication, or the unauthorized access of stored communications.The ECPA does have three exceptions, and if any one of these applies, monitoring can take place under appropriate circumstances. The exceptions generally allow employers to monitor business-related phone calls, to monitor communications when there has been employee consent, and to retrieve and access stored e-mail messages. Summary of Electronic Surveillance of Employees at Work As you see, there are many pros and many cons to the electronic surveillance of employees in the workplace. Weigh all of these f actors when you decide how to proceed with employee monitoring in your workplace. In my company, where we develop software, we have mostly college-degreed, young employees who are goal-oriented and technologically advanced. We appreciate every ounce of discretionary energy they contribute at work and at home. A certain amount of Web surfing is necessary to stay abreast in our field and to obtain competitive intelligence. Electronic surveillance of our employees is nowhere on our radar. Ill be surprised if it is ever an issue. In any setting, however develop acomputer,internet, and email policytrain the employees regularly so that they are familiar with your companys expectationsask the employees to sign off on understanding the policythen, take a deep breath and- trust them.