Q&A

Can a company use GPS to track an employee?

Can a company use GPS to track an employee?

On-premises employee tracking may not appear to be much of an issue at first. Employers know if an employee is at work or not. But GPS is just one way to track employee movements. Security cameras, as mentioned before, have been around for a long time as a means to monitor staff.

How does an employer track an employee’s location?

Employers use GPS installed in company cars to track the speed at which employees drive, the length of a break they take when they are on the road based on how long the vehicle has been idle and the location of an employee.

Which is the best mobile workforce tracking app?

TSheets has features that make it a great mobile workforce tracker. It’s suitable for small and large teams, for those who often travel as well as for remote workers. With TSheets every manager can monitor employees’ activity and position.

When did landairsea start making GPS tracking devices?

LandAirSea is about state of the art tracking devices. In 1994, LandAirSea Systems Inc. began manufacturing Global Positioning System (GPS) trackers in the Greater Chicago area.

How is GPS tracking used in the workplace?

One of the most debated employee monitoring practices involves GPS tracking of company-owned and personal automobiles and cell phones. GPS tracking is often used by employers to monitor employee travel routes and to verify that work time is being accurately recorded on time sheets.

How are employers able to track their employees?

With the rise in GPS technology, employers have unprecedented access to their employees’ whereabouts. For several years, employers have been able to track their field or mobile employees’ locations through GPS devices in vehicles. With more recent technology, employers are able to track locations through GPS apps in employees’ smartphones.

Can a company monitor an employee’s GPS in Texas?

For example, Texas allows employers to monitor GPS systems in any company-issued vehicle or cell phone. But, if employers wish to monitor employee-owned vehicles, they must first receive permission from the employee.

What happens if an employee disables a GPS device?

If an employee will be disciplined for disabling a GPS device without the employer’s permission, the GPS tracking policy should also notify the employees of those consequences in advance. Be sure to communicate the policy to all employees, and ask that employees acknowledge their receipt and understanding of the policy.

Is it legal for an employer to track an employee’s location?

An employer does not violate this law by tracking the location of a company-owned vehicle used by its employees, because the employer (the vehicle’s owner) consents to the tracking. However, an employer is not permitted to install a GPS tracking device in an employee-owned vehicle without the employee’s consent.

If an employee will be disciplined for disabling a GPS device without the employer’s permission, the GPS tracking policy should also notify the employees of those consequences in advance. Be sure to communicate the policy to all employees, and ask that employees acknowledge their receipt and understanding of the policy.

Can a company track the vehicle of an employee?

Tracking work vehicles. Employers can track the location of any company-owned vehicle used by employees. As with tracking company-owned phones and laptops, this can be done without consent, but it’s advisable to get consent anyway.

On-premises employee tracking may not appear to be much of an issue at first. Employers know if an employee is at work or not. But GPS is just one way to track employee movements. Security cameras, as mentioned before, have been around for a long time as a means to monitor staff.

An employer does not violate this law by tracking the location of a company-owned vehicle used by its employees, because the employer (the vehicle’s owner) consents to the tracking. However, an employer is not permitted to install a GPS tracking device in an employee-owned vehicle without the employee’s consent.

Tracking work vehicles. Employers can track the location of any company-owned vehicle used by employees. As with tracking company-owned phones and laptops, this can be done without consent, but it’s advisable to get consent anyway.

What happens if you tamper with a GPS tracking device?

This should be outlined to employees in the notice that the surveillance will be carried out or in a workplace surveillance policy. The policy should also state that unauthorised tampering or interfering with GPS tracking devices can result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment.

This should be outlined to employees in the notice that the surveillance will be carried out or in a workplace surveillance policy. The policy should also state that unauthorised tampering or interfering with GPS tracking devices can result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment.