How has cyber technology created opportunities for workplace deviance?

The IoT is ever expanding, and new users are joining every day. People are becoming more addicted to social media and using their devices in general. With all of today’s technology, it is now easier than ever for employees to engage in workplace deviance. Not only do employees today use business devices, but they also have personal devices like mobile phones and tablets. Workplace deviance has varying degrees. An example of one of the more common occurrences would be internet browsing on company devices on company time. This also goes for browsing on personal devices. Employees demonstrate workplace deviance by using company property or personal devices to watch YouTube or shop on Amazon. Another similar example involves employees being on Facebook, Facebook Messenger, or other social media platforms during work hours. Online gambling and stock trading are also examples of workplace deviance. These examples are relatively common regarding deviant workplace behavior. However, these are some examples of less harmful workplace deviance.

Although the before mentioned behaviors are inappropriate for the workplace, there are other examples of workplace deviance that can be a lot more harmful. These examples not only waste company resources, but also put individuals in danger. An example of a more harmful instance of workplace deviance involves using company resources to commit crimes. The unauthorized accessing of databases by employees is an example of more harmful workplace deviance using technology. Stealing software and customer payment information are serious crimes that could be committed by deviant employees. Activities like these are particularly harmful as they can damage a company’s reputation as well as and open the door for lawsuits. When employees are entrusted with access to very sensitive data, it is imperative that the employees are well trained and vigilant to reduce the risk of human error. However, human error can never be reduced to zero.