Monitor Employees via WebCam

[LongLiveRock1974]

Hello,
I'm contemplating installing software to monitor employee activity...mainly 3rd shift. I've viewed some applications, but was curious if anyone here has a preference or experience in this area. Here are my main needs:

Must be discreet. I want to ensure there's no Add/Remove Program listed. No icon appearing in the system tray when activated.

I don't want a resource hog affecting the PC or bandwidth.

Can monitor or access data remotely, as well as store specified data indefinitely.

Must not turn on the built in cam LED light. This is where I'm not finding any answers. If the built in LED comes on, as it normally does when the cam is in use, it would defeat the whole purpose of monitoring.

Decent app support.

I'm looking at 9 machines right now. I obviously don't want to pay an arm and a leg. Any info, or useful feedback is much appreciated.

 

[RuslanSudentas]

I'm not doing anything illegal. As long as my staff knows they can "potentially" be monitored and it is a documented policy, I'm covered.

You may be covered from a legal standpoint, but I guarantee your employees would hate you and the work. You can achieve the similar result + keep employees happy if you use something like ResqueTime or ScreenshotMonitor where employees can start and stop monitoring themselves and you can see their monitor screenshots on the web.

 

[gregmeck]

why don't u try a simple webcamera software that lets you convert your webcam into a surveillance camera? I suggest you try GotoCamera. Doesn't cost an arm and a leg and works pretty well. http/gotocamera.com/

That will still initiate a light on the webcam when it's running.

Yeah, but if they are sleeping anyway, the light won't matter!

 

[Christopher Stephens]

What you are saying is that you want to deceive your employees into thinking they are not being monitored, and you are saying that is not illegal because you also made then aware they are being monitored. That makes no sense. You need to act within the spirit of the law. This post you made makes this illegal because it shows your trying to deceive them. You can't have it both ways. You need to contact a lawyer.

 

[EdwardPete]

What you are doing is illegal, the employees have to know they are being monitored, especially if you are using the webcams. Get a general security software and set it up in the area, let them know it's there.

If the boss tell the employees before he installs monitoring software on their computers, it is legal.

I stand by this line.
Mike, if female staff sometime just scratch their breast, back side to other colleagues and facing their pc which means facing you?

 

[teddymines]

Why not just show up unannounced? You don't have to do it every night, just a few times to leave the impression that visits may happen at any time.

As others have recommended, a basic security camera + DVR will allow you to monitor them and use the footage as evidence if they decide to sue you or your company. These run a couple hundred for a decent basic set.

 

[david andwon]

Perhaps the first thing to do is let people know that your IT folks will be monitoring their usage of company computers, etc.