Have you ever wondered if your company is monitoring your e-mail, listening to your phone conversations or logging your keystrokes?

KGW

Many are, according to a survey by the American Management Association. The survey shows 76 percent of companies monitor employee Internet use and 55 percent read email messages.

This comes as little surprise to Justin Cutler. An employee of the City of Gresham, Cutler became aware of his computer being tapped when he was hired. Cutler says he only uses the computer for personal business like going to news websites during breaks or lunchtime, which is allowed.

Gresham monitors employees by logging their computer use and blocking unsavory websites, like pornography sites and gambling sites.

"It protects our employees from doing something they shouldn't be doing," said Pam Butalla, the IT director for Gresham. She added that it also helps boost productivity.

  Are you concerned about workplace privacy?

Butalla monitors her 12 employees at least once a week, she says. She says workers have access to their own records and internet usage.

"I can understand employers wanting to wanting to keep a tighter rein on what employees are doing," said Janaka Jayawardena, a computer expert at Portland State University. He anticipates more companies will track employees as more software becomes available.

"A lot of the arguments they're using are 'you're using our property for work therefore, we want to be able to monitor it," said Jayawardena. But, he adds, there's a fine line between trust and responsibility.

"In terms of an employer wanting employees to have a relaxed environment versus a 1984 everything you do is spied on environment," said Jayawardena.

Butalla says Gresham's system is working. In the past three years, the city has reprimanded three employees out of 500 for inappropriate internet use.