Is your company spying on you at work?

What measures will an employer take to ensure their company’s time is used productively and reputation remains stellar?

A local company appears to be taking extreme, but not unique measures.

The company set up its e-mail system to forward all employees’ outgoing mail to a supervisor.

This measure was implemented without the workers’ knowledge.

Of course, we know there are no secrets at work.

No surprise there, especially in the Internet age.

In my work experience, I’ve found it’s standard practice to have your Internet use tracked, and rightfully so.

It’s appropriate for those using work equipment and for those on the job.

How we spend our work hours should always be transparent to our bosses.

But I have always been informed about company Internet policies on my first day of work and my employer’s expectations.

I am fortunate to work for a company that wouldn’t take such measures without informing their employees.

I felt sorry for this local worker and wondered how an environment of distrust can be productive to the company?

If you work for such a company, I suggest you find another job where employers act ethically by providing all computer use policies and practices up-front.

But with less work available, I think people are more likely to keep their current jobs and make do.

Software companies are responding to what they perceive as a need in the marketplace.

There are online tools like the Anonymizer, which uses its servers for your Web traffic, according to a March 22 ABC News article, titled “Working Hard or Hardly Working.”

There’s also a new Web site titled Cantyouseeimbusy.com that makes computer games appear as spreadsheets on your monitor.

The article lists other ways to waste time online, apparently going unnoticed at work.

I wouldn’t recommend using those tools.

It’s up to employees to act ethically and, in turn, receive the same treatment from their employer.

Lynne Lynch is the business and agriculture reporter for the Columbia Basin Herald.