The introduction of email has brought many benefits to organisations. One main benefit is having the capability to monitor email use by capturing communication metrics through which companies can then act in producing usage policies and provide education to try and reduce wasted resources and improve employee productivity. However, email monitoring also has complex ramifications on the organisation and on its workforce in terms of maintaining a balance between the protection of the employer and for its employees.
In other words, getting the right balance between allowing the organisation to continue business operations and not upsetting staff by invading their privacy rights or by using over-invasive monitoring methods that may affect staff morale and performance. Careful consideration and planning by both management and staff representatives is needed to evolve corporate policies to maintain this correct balance.