Homework Week 2 | HRM 320 Employment Law | Elizabeth Larson |
3/13/2015
3/13/2015

1. What do you think are some of the factors in the modern workplace that contribute to a theft of time? How can those factors be managed?

The development of newer technologies within the workplace has transformed work arrangements and habits. There are many examples of theft of time including sleeping on the job, taking a longer lunch, and even taking care of personal responsibilities during work hours. “Time theft costs employers more than $400 billion per year in lost productivity” (Donskey). One of the biggest factors in theft of time is the internet. Employees have easy access to the internet, from work issued computers to the use of smart phones. Unfortunately, with the use of personal cell phones, even with policies put into place to prevent and/or prohibit the use of cell phones during work hours, is usually not enough to stop many employees. Furthermore, these forms of theft of time typically go unnoticed by companies but policies and other means of prevention can be put in place to deter employees from such activities. Many companies block out popular websites, such as social media websites or some competitor websites. Also, computers issued by the company are company property and are monitored. When employees know their internet usage is being watched, they are more careful with what they attempt to access on the internet during work hours. To monitor hours worked, and when lunch breaks are taken, all employees are typically issued employee id numbers. The employees use this number to sign in and out of work and their time is tracked. This way it helps prevent long lunch breaks and makes sure employees are working during their scheduled time. 2. What does the word Whistleblower mean (legally speaking)? Give an example of whistleblowing.
A whistleblower