Definition (1):
Electronic performance monitoring (EPM) systems use computer network technology to allow managers access to their employees’ computers and telephones. They thus allow managers to monitor the employees’ rate, accuracy, and time spent working online.
Definition (2):
Electronic performance monitoring (EPM) means the use of technological ways for monitoring, recording, and evaluating information and data that are directly or indirectly associated with job performance.
Definition (3):
Electronic Performance Monitoring (EPM) is built on recordings of performance by the computer hardware (log-in hours, claims, number of keystrokes, etc.) and/or services monitoring by a manager (such as on the telephone) of qualitative features.
Nowadays EPM occurs among clerical workers in telecommunications, insurance, federal and state government, financial services, and professions that need extensive customer service through the telephone- i.e. internet service providers, telephone company operators, and airline reservation clerks.
As per estimations, around 26 million employees are electronically monitored by companies. Evidence indicates that this kind of monitoring can lead to either positive or negative results for both companies and their members. When companies involve employees in planning and implementation of these monitoring systems, restrict monitoring to only performance-related functions, and use data got through electronic ways in a conservative manner highlighting 2-way communication and helpful feedback, they are likely to get positive results.