Technology and Ethics

Paper Summary:

This paper explores the issue of the ethics of using the employer's computer for functions other than work. It discusses how the issue has become more of a problem in recent years and how it has been addressed by employers through monitoring, the creation of written policies, and other means to teach and enforce the ethics of computer use to employees at all levels. The paper links this issue to other business ethics issues.

From the Paper:

"Introduction The ethics of using the computer at work for personal matters can include a large number of potential infractions, from surfing the Internet to sending too many e-mails, from downloading pornography to addressing personal matters using different websites. From the employer's point of view, infractions can be simply a waste of time (when the worker should be working but is not) to a potential for liability (if the employee is doing something illegal or is harassing someone by e-mail or is otherwise creating a potential for retaliatory lawsuits). In general, employees know that certain actions on the computer can create problems for the employer, just as they know that spending time surfing the Web when they are supposed to be working is wrong and a breach of their employment. They may not think of this as an ethical issue, though it clearly is."

More papers on Technology and Ethics:

• Essay # 74500 : "Technology and Ethics"
• Essay # 62936 : "Technology and Ethics: Your Right to Know"
• Term Paper # 96683 : "Technology and Ethical Guidelines"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: