A well-drafted employee monitoring policy sets forth the employer's rights to monitor and inspect communications and conduct in the course of employment. By accepting the provisions of the policy, employees signal their understanding and provide protection in the event of disputes that may arise from a workplace investigation.

An effective policy:

• Covers specific technologies and equipment that can be monitored, such as phone, voice mail, emails and text messages.
• Specifies inappropriate communications or behavior that could lead to disciplinary action.
• Lists the types of discipline that could be implemented, up to and including termination.