Can My Boss Spy On Me Through My Computer?

With the rise of remote work, many employees are concerned about the extent to which their employers can monitor their digital activities. While working from home offers more freedom and flexibility, it also comes with increased oversight. Employers now have access to almost everything their employees do electronically, and monitoring software makes data collection and analysis easy. While your boss may not be tracking every moment of your workday, they likely have the capability to do so. This includes tracking your emails, browser history, social media usage, and even your surroundings through GPS and video monitoring. To address the question, Could my boss see me through my computer without a camera?, the answer is yes. Employers can access your webcam and monitor you through your workplace computer, even if it's a personal device connected to the company network. However, they cannot remotely turn on your webcam without informing you, and monitoring is prohibited in locations where privacy is expected, such as bathrooms.

Your boss can monitor your email

While there are laws in place to protect your privacy, such as the Human Rights Act 1998, the General Data Protection Regulation, and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, your boss can monitor your email. Emails sent or received through a company email account are generally not considered private. Employers are free to monitor these communications as long as there is a valid business purpose for doing so. Many companies reinforce this right by giving employees written notice, such as in an employee handbook, that their work email is not private and that the company is monitoring these messages.

If your employer has emails set up through providers such as Gmail and Outlook, administrators of the account have access to every email you send and receive. Even if your company doesn’t use one of these specific providers, other third-party monitoring tools allow your employer to view email contents, subject lines, and attachments. If your boss is tech-savvy, they might even be able to read the content of your deleted emails.

Importantly, the ability to peek into your inbox isn’t limited to your work account. If you use your work computer to access your personal email, your employer can also see your personal email content, subject lines, and attachments. Employers can limit this functionality if they wish, but you can’t exclude yourself from the function as an employee.

In the UK, more than half of workers believe their employers are spying on them without their knowledge, probing emails, riffling through their search history, and even tapping into telephone calls without warning. While workplace monitoring is a legitimate, legal method for employers to protect their staff and business, it can leave staff feeling violated and demoralised.

To avoid problems with workplace email, it is best to treat your email system at work as you would a business phone. Strictly limit your communications to work-related activities and do not access your personal email account on company equipment. If you must check private email during the day, do it during break time on your own device.

Your boss can monitor your focus and activity

While working from home offers more freedom and flexibility, it also comes with more oversight. Your employer can access almost everything you do electronically, and monitoring software makes that data easy to collect and analyze.

Your employer can use software that tracks how active you are on your computer. This includes how long you spend on different websites, what time of day you’re most active, which programs you use the most, and even how many keystrokes you make per minute. This data can be useful for employers to assess employee productivity. For example, if you’re frequently on social media during work hours, your boss may talk to you about staying focused on work tasks.

Some of the monitoring tools employers use include:

• Teramind: tracks employee activity, including keystrokes, screenshots, and web activity
• InterGuard: provides detailed activity reports, including which websites are visited and when
• ActivTrak: provides data on how employees use different programs, including which ones are used the most
• Hubstaff: gives employers the ability to see which websites employees visit and for how long
• TimeCamp: tracks employee activity, including keystrokes and screenshots

Monitoring software can also track when you’re active or stalled by collecting your keyboard and mouse data. Certain types of activity can also lead to alerts to employers. For example, if you use social media while working, your activity could likely get flagged. An employer can set parameters within the software when it comes to social media use during the workday.

Other software will intermittently take screenshots of your desktop throughout the workday. Some software even allows for real-time recordings of employees’ desktops. Some even allow employers to activate a video chat with an employee at any moment.

In addition to monitoring your computer activity, your employer can also track your email and browser activity. They can see who you’re emailing, when you sent the email, and how long the conversation was. If your employer is tech-savvy, they might even be able to read the content of your deleted emails. They can also track which websites you visit, even if it’s for personal reasons.

While there are essential protections such as the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 (ECPA) regarding personal privacy, many of these protections are situational, and the protections shift regarding employment and an employer’s ability to protect their business.

Your boss can monitor your browser

Your boss can track which websites you visit while at work, including social media sites, and any website you visit for personal reasons. This can be done in several ways.

Monitoring software

Your boss can use monitoring software to track which websites you visit and how long you spend on each site. This software can also track how long you spend on different websites, what time of day you’re most active, which programs you use the most, and even how many keystrokes you make per minute.

Browser history

Your boss can also look at your browser history. This is the list of websites you’ve visited, which is usually stored in your computer’s memory. They can access this history by looking at your computer’s files, or remotely if they have the right permissions.

Blocking websites

Your employer might block certain types of websites from being accessed on work computers. Even if a website is blocked, your boss could still see that you tried to visit it.

Using a work computer

Your boss can monitor your website browsing activity if you’re using a work computer.

Using a personal computer

Your boss can also monitor your activity if you’re using a personal computer but are connected to a company network. This means that all websites you visit will be visible to your employer.

Using a VPN

If you access your work computer through a VPN, your employer will have the same access as they would if you were in a physical office. This usually means they can monitor your internet browsing activity and see any files or documents you’re working on.

Using a remote desktop

If you’re using a remote desktop, treat it the same as you would if you were sitting at a desk in an office. Avoid web browsing you wouldn’t want your employer to see.

Using a mobile network

If you use your mobile network to look up websites at work, your employer cannot track that activity. However, if you use the company network to connect to the internet on your cell phone, they can see all the activity on the network.

Your boss can monitor your workplace collaboration tools

As more employees work remotely, employers are increasingly relying on employee tracking software. This software can track almost everything you do electronically, and your employer can access this data whenever they want.

Workplace collaboration tools such as Slack, Google Chat, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams are no exception. Your boss can access these messages at any time and use them as evidence in disciplinary action or even in a lawsuit. For example, if you made a comment that was interpreted as racist, sexist, or homophobic, your employer could use those messages as proof of a hostile work environment.

If your employer owns the Slack workspace, they can export messages from any private direct messages. They can also see your activity and engagement stats. Similarly, Google and Microsoft each offer ways for administrators to track usage and metadata from users, such as what time you sign on, how many messages you send, and how many calls you join.

The bottom line is that your boss can monitor almost everything you do during the workday, whether you're working remotely or in the office. If you're concerned about your privacy, consider using your own devices for work if allowed, and avoid using work devices for non-work activities.

Your boss can monitor your surroundings

While it may seem like an invasion of privacy, your boss can monitor your surroundings in several ways. This is especially true if you are working remotely or from home, where it is harder for your boss to keep an eye on you.

Firstly, if you have signed an employment contract, you may have already agreed to be monitored. Many employment handbooks include a clause that states something like, ""We (company) reserve the right to monitor employees' usage of company equipment and network..." This means that even if you are using a personal device, your employer can monitor you if you are on their network.

• GPS tracking: Your employer can use GPS tracking to monitor your location, especially if you work outside the office, such as field sales or delivery driving. This technology can also be used to ensure employees are working from home and not elsewhere.
• Webcam access: While your boss cannot monitor you in locations where you have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as the bathroom, they can access your webcam if it is part of their employment terms. They cannot remotely turn on your webcam without telling you, but they can make it a condition of your employment.
• Microphone and speaker access: Some monitoring software can collect sound from your computer's microphone and speakers. This means that any conversations happening in your home or office could be subject to monitoring.
• Email and messaging access: Your employer can track every email and message you send, even if you delete it. They can see who you are contacting, when you sent the message, and how long the conversation lasted. They may even be able to read the content of deleted messages.
• Browser history: Your employer can see which websites you visit and for how long, even if it is for personal reasons. They can do this by using monitoring software or by accessing your browser history directly.
• Keyboard and mouse activity: Your employer can track your activity by monitoring your keyboard and mouse usage. This can include the number of keystrokes, time spent on different websites, and programs used.

While you may not be comfortable with the idea of being monitored, it is important to remember that your employer has a valid interest in tracking employee productivity and protecting company information. Additionally, denying your employer access to monitoring tools may be considered grounds for termination.

If you are concerned about your privacy, you can take steps such as using your own computer or device, avoiding work email and collaboration tools for private conversations, and being cautious about how you spend your time during the workday.

Frequently asked questions