信息對應(yīng) 練習(xí)2 Technology in the Workplace Violates Workers’ Privacy.doc

Technology in the Workplace Violates Workers PrivacyA We are living in a worid where data, or information, has become a powerful commodity. Massive advances in computer technology are having a two-pronged effect. They are not only making it possible to collect information that at one time went largely unrecorded, but they are also making it relatively easy to store, analyze and retrieve information in ways which, until quite recently, were impossible. It is perhaps not surprising that computer technology is being used in government intelligence agencies to monitor people and practices. However, what is less obvious is the rapid rise in the use of surveillance in companies.BThe amount of information already being collected as a matter of routine would surprise most people. For example, any spending that involves a credit or bank debit card, in fact, most financial transactions, is automatically recorded on computer databases. A telephone call to any government agency, will most likely be monitored. Mobile phone companies have equipment that allows them to track the location of anyone who has a phone switched on. Supermarkets, through their checkout processes, electronically record every item being bought by their customers. Electronic toll-booths and traffic-monitoring systems record the movement of individual vehicles. Closed-circuit television cameras now scan most city centres. The increasing widespread use of surveillance technologies and techniques has led to fears that soon there will be no personal privacy to protect.C These large organizations and companies, however, are not only monitoring their customers, they are just as interested in their employees. A 1997 survey by the American Management Association (AMA) of 900 large companies found that nearly two- thirds admitted to some form of electronic surveillance of their workers. Another AMA survey of 526 companies in 2005 found that more than half of the companies surveyed used video surveillance. 86% of the companies surveyed notified their employees of the practice with 80% notifying the employees of when they are actually being watched. The study found that the number of companies using video surveillance lo monitor employees, on-the-job performance is increasing.DTo employers, video surveillance is a means to expose misconduct, theft, vandalism, violence and even sabotage. It is a way to reduce security risks and legal liability. It is also a cheaper alternative to other forms of security and supervision. However, employeesclaim video surveillance has the potential to dehumanise their working environment, denying them a reasonable expectation of privacy. They also believe it harasses individuals by putting them under constant view.E Another common form of workplace surveillance is to monitor email messages sent or received by employees. According to the American Management Association (AMA) study, the largest increase in workplace surveillance was in the storage and review of email messages. Businesses argue that by monitoring emails they will be able to catch employees who send offensive or abusive email messages. Another assertion commonly used by companies to support the use of email surveillance is that it stops employees from sending confidential files to rival firms. However, this argument does not mean it can stop company secrets from leaking out by other means such as printing, photocopying, photographing or by fax.F Powerful new software makes it easy for bosses to monitor and record not only all e-mail messages, but every keystroke and telephone conversation as well as the exact whereabouts of employees. Tracking devices through mobile phones and on company vehicles can monitor employees，movements outside of the office, while the use of access cards and active badges monitor individuals movements inside the office. According to employers, vehicle tracking is used to increase efficiency, to enhance customer service, for security, and to comply with safety requirements. However, employees complain they do not want their employers secretly tracking their movements. Others resent employers tracking their every movement throughout the day, including during break times. They also fear that tracking devices will be used to unfairly discipline drivers.GThe modern workplace is undergoing great changes caused primarily by the information processing ability of high-powered computers and advanced software. Companies compete against each other and there is intense competition in the marketplace. Anything which might improve a firms efficiency and productivity could mean the difference between success and failure. However, the fact remains, if particular systems can be used to monitor a computer or an individuals movements without the knowledge of the computer user or the person concerned, then it is very likely that such systems will be used for purposes other than their intended purpose.ClassificationAccording to the information in the reading passage, classify the following information as being associated with:Video surveillanceMonitoring emailsTracking devicesWrite the correct letter, A, B, C beside the following statement.1. A cheaper alternative to supervision2. Access cards3