Employers today are also using all sorts of ingenious technologies to keep tabs on their rank and file. Anyone who thinks their work activities are private has probably been sleeping under the proverbial rock and is in for a rude awakening. Many employers today watch everything employees do, from email to Web surfing to chats at the watercooler.

Video surveillance technology, in particular, is improving rapidly and providing cautious managers -- as well as suspicious bosses -- with a snooping arsenal sophisticated enough to make a CIA spook blush. And the technology is getting less expensive all the time, so a business doesn't need to be listed on the Fortune 500 to afford the latest in video surveillance gear.

Yes, video surveillance today is both possible and affordable. But, how does it work, and ultimately, is it the right thing to do? Most people cringe at the thought of being watched by their employers. So, where do employer rights end and employee rights begin? Let's take a look.

Surveillance Systems Today

Traditional video surveillance systems use videotape, so getting useful information out of them usually means wading through hours of uneventful video to locate a few minutes -- or seconds -- of critical information. Also, traditional CCTV (closed-circuit TV) systems use VCRs and, most recently, Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) to store video feeds from cameras. Although these two technologies are "good enough" for recording surveillance video, they are rapidly being replaced by something far better.

Newer IP-based video surveillance systems store video digitally on networked computers, which makes remote monitoring from almost anywhere a cinch. The boss might be vacationing in Hawaii, but as long as the local watering hole has an Internet connection, keeping tabs on the office is as easy as browsing to a secure Web site and typing a password.

The IP Advantage

IP video surveillance provides digital files readily available to all authorized users, plus system accessibility from any networked computer via a Web browser, and the ability to digitally manipulate video feeds as needed. So, those who get way too toasted at the company Christmas party can now look forward to having their exploits digitally recorded for the entire company to see. (continued...)

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