THE EFFECTS OF COMPUTERIZED PERFORMANCE MONITORING - AN ETHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Considerable controversy has surrounded the use of computerized perfor mance monitoring (CPM) by employers. Critics of this technology conten d that CPM usage raises serious ethical concerns. Beliefs that the use of computerized performance monitors results in unfair performance ev aluation, stress and health problems underlie much of the current conc ern over this technology. A field study was undertaken to provide empi rical evidence that could be used to guide the design and use of compu terized performance monitors to minimize these problems. One hundred f orty three members of the Communication Workers of America participate d in a cross sectional field study. The study examined the relationshi p between various monitoring system characteristics and employees' hea lth problems, stress and satisfaction with the performance evaluation process. The ethical implications of the results are discussed.