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To some, ethics is simply about NOT getting caught. For these unfortunate souls, life in our modern technological era has become increasingly difficult. In the workplace, getting caught is now easier than ever. Cameras see where you go, monitored phone lines listen to your conversations, web surfing is scrutinized, and just about any electronic operation can be analyzed for the slightest ethical infraction.

The employer's ability to catch anyone straying off the straight and narrow brings up a critical question in our ethical frame of thinking, "Has this increased surveillance power made us more ethical or just more scared?"

The next questions to ask are, "What motivates you to do the right thing? Do you do it because of fear of punishment or adherence to moral principles?" Think of your earliest memories of ethical training. They are probably full of examples of moral training through punishment. Remember the classic parental saying, "I'm doing this for your own good!" Things are different in the world of grown-ups. Employers don't do it for your good but for theirs.

In the workplace, ethics is more about catching the bad guy rather than developing character. Good ethics is simply expected. But just to be on the safe side, employers use modern technology to make sure. For the most part, workplace monitoring should not be a big deal. If you truly believe that activities at work should be exclusively work related, then let the cameras roll. You have nothing to hide. Although good behavior based on principle should be your goal, there are a few complications that might make the most ethical person a little nervous.

First, what we used to do in secret is now easily observed. Being sneaky is tougher than ever. Blowing it and then consciously resolving to "do better next time" may not be possible because there may not be a "next time." Ethically bad days are not an option. The problem is that no one is completely ethically spotless. If every employee who performs personal business on company time was terminated, there would be no one left. So what do you do? There's only one thing to do: don't blow it.

You must raise your ethical standards because you will be held accountable. This requires you to try harder to break bad habits, be careful, and take ethics more seriously. Now, this may not be all that bad. If you're a normal human being then you need a little help from a camera once in a while.

Second, looks can be deceiving but cameras don't lie. Are you providing better customer service by taking more time on the phone or are you talking to friends and being unproductive? Are your phone calls and websites work related or not? The data gathered about your behavior at work may not be a clear picture of what you really do.

In this case, the burden of proof is yours. You must give your actions a second thought and ask, "How does this look to someone who doesn't know me?" If your supervisor laid out all the data collected about you on a table, could you explain its legitimacy without breaking into a sweat? Don't give anyone a reason to doubt your character.

Third, outward surveillance can't see what's on the inside. Cameras and phone recordings should be an accurate portrayal of the good person you are and good character you have built. Life is not lived in high security. Most of the ethical choices you make happen privately. It is hoped that your ethical work habits continue after the monitoring is turned off. As your ethical behavior becomes ingrained into your character, whatever workplace monitoring that seemed initially intrusive won't be given a second thought.

Like it or loath it, workplace monitoring and surveillance is here to stay. It's another tool of accountability that we wish was unnecessary but is now a part of life. Working in a transparent environment challenges people to weigh their behavior based not only on how they see themselves but how other people see them. Ethics is now not only a matter of conscience but also a matter of record. Shakespeare said, "All the world is a stage." When the curtain comes up and the cameras turn to your ethical life at work, give them a good show.