How has cyber technology created opportunities for workplace deviance?

Workplace deviance is typically defined as the intentional, malicious attempt to sabotage or damage an organization/company. Classic examples of workplace deviance include damage of physical equipment, stealing, and even just showing up late for work (on a consistent basis). These are all behaviors that can be easily identified and are even relatively easy to correct. With the advent of modern (cyber) technology, workplace deviance has become a relatively hard problem to diagnose. Cyber technology has made it easier in most ways to commit workplace deviance. For example, back in 2017 a bank teller was convicted for stealing an alleged $1.25 million over a period of 10 years. The use of cyber technology allowed this bank teller to steal money without physically having to touch it. Another example of workplace deviance would be leaking sensitive data to another company because they are unhappy with their current workplace conditions. This could easily be done with cyber technology in multiple ways (using a physical flash drive, sending the data privately, etc.). Modern companies need to be resilient when it comes to cyber technology as workplace deviance has become a lot easier to commit. While it is impossible to complete eliminate workplace deviance after all, you cant please everybody, being mindful of the ways it can happen could mitigate the problem.

There are a few ways companies can go about reducing workplace deviance.

1. The most important part of any company is proper communication. Communication can build trust, and although an employee might not like you, if you build trust with them, they will be less likely to be deviant. They can even bring up gripes they may have and the company can act accordingly
2. Keeping a close eye on your company’s cyber technology could also help if their is suspicion of workplace deviance. While surveillance can also be an option, there are ethics that need to be considered when using this approach

Overall, cyber technology has made workplace deviance an easier act to commit and has made it harder to detect. It has also allowed for more variety when it comes to workplace deviance and means employers need to be more mindful of their employees.