Cyber technology has reshaped the workplace, providing efficiencies but also creating opportunities for workplace misconduct. With the increasing reliance on technology in the workplace, it has evolved, offering unintentional challenges related to possible aberrance.
Property Theft, Espionage, and Cybersecurity Breaches
Employees can exploit technology to compromise trade secrets and sensitive personal information, which can not only lead to major distrust within an organization, but potentially jeopardize individuals’ livelihood and safety through intentional sabotage, resulting in data breaches and operational disruptions.
Anonymity and Property Abuse
One contributor to workplace misconduct through technology is the anonymity it provides, facilitating cyber harassment and bullying, leveraging the online interactions to shield their identity. Simultaneously, employees may abuse email/messengers or social media to gossip, spread rumors, and conduct the cyberbullying, contributing to workplace toxicity.
Cyber Loafing
Cyber loafing is a phenomenon known where employees engage in non-work-related activities during work hours. Internet surfing, shopping, social media surfing, and personal chats are all extremely possible, unless strict internet browsing standards are put into place.
Conclusion
While technology has revolutionized the modern workplace, its impact on workplace misconduct cannot be discounted. Organizations have to stay vigilant, implementing strong cybersecurity measures, and promoting a culture of ethical misconduct. This issue requires evolving attention to ensure the benefits of technology are not steamrolled by the risks.
Works Cited
“APA PsycNet.” Psycnet.apa.org, psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-32213-010. Accessed 5 Nov. 2021.
Venkatraman, Srinivasan, et al. “The “Darth” Side of Technology Use: An Inductively Derived Typology of Cyberdeviance.” Journal of Management Information Systems, vol. 35, no. 4, 2 Oct. 2018, pp. 1060–1091, https://doi.org/10.1080/07421222.2018.1523531. Accessed 11 Sept. 2019.