How has cyber technology created opportunities for workplace deviance?

Cyber technology created many opportunities for workplace deviance, some examples of this are distraction, online criticism, cyber-attacks, and data theft. The rise of personal devices in the workplace has led to increased cases of distraction. Employees and employers may use smartphones, tablets, or personal computers for non-work-related activities such as social media browsing or personal emails. This diversion not only hampers productivity but also constitutes a form of workplace deviance. Employers need to implement and enforce policies that clarify the appropriate use of personal devices during working hours to mitigate these distractions and maintain a focused work environment. In the era of social media, disgruntled employees have a platform to express their grievances publicly. Denied bonuses or raises may prompt individuals to vent their frustrations online, criticizing their employers or the company. Such online criticism tarnishes the organization’s reputation and constitutes a form of workplace deviance that can impact employee morale and the overall work environment. Employers should foster open communication channels to address employee concerns and discourage public airing of grievances. Disgruntled employees with technical knowledge may resort to cyber-attacks as a form of workplace deviance. This can include actions such as launching malware, ransomware, or distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks to disrupt organizational operations. Cyber-attacks pose a threat to data integrity and confidentiality while jeopardizing the stability and functionality of essential systems. Organizations must implement formidable cybersecurity measures, conduct regular training on security best practices, and closely monitor network activities to detect and prevent insider threats. Employees with malicious intent may engage in data theft by downloading sensitive company information to sell it to rival companies or on online platforms. This act of workplace deviance compromises the organization’s intellectual property, trade secrets, and proprietary data. To mitigate the risk of data theft, organizations need to implement stringent access controls, conduct regular audits of data access and downloads, and provide employees with awareness training on the importance of protecting confidential information. Additionally, monitoring for unusual data transfer patterns can help detect potential insider threats.