E‐mail surveillance in the UK workplace – a management consulting case study

Examines the utilisation of e‐mail scanning and surveillance technology by the management consulting business in the UK. Uses a questionnaire of UK management consulting firms to determine the uptake and substance of e‐mail policies, and the extent and nature of e‐mail monitoring implementation. Investigates the attitudes of management consulting employees towards e‐mail surveillance in a survey of work colleagues. Also considers e‐mail monitoring issues. Concludes that forms of workplace e‐mail monitoring are becoming more widespread. Awareness of the ramifications for worker privacy is growing, due partly to recent Government legislation. Finds that e‐mail policy adoption rates among management consultancies are comparatively low, as are levels of e‐mail scanning/surveillance software installation. Predicts that maintaining a fair balance between conflicting business and employee interests will be the key to determining the future direction of workplace e‐mail monitoring.