What ethical principle should guide data monitoring in the workplace?

• A. Monitor without informing employees
• B. Protect privacy and rights
• C. Ignore consent requirements
• D. Maximize surveillance regardless of impact

Answer: (B)

Protecting privacy and rights guides data monitoring in the workplace. This means monitoring should be limited to what’s necessary for legitimate business purposes, and it should be done transparently so employees know what is being monitored and why. When appropriate, obtain consent and ensure data is used only for the stated purposes. Safeguards like data minimization, strict access controls, secure storage, and clear retention limits help protect individuals while still enabling oversight. By prioritizing privacy and rights, the practice builds trust, supports fair treatment, and aligns with legal and policy requirements.

Monitoring without informing undermines trust and may violate privacy expectations; ignoring consent requirements erodes autonomy; and pursuing surveillance without considering impact is invasive and can harm workplace culture.