Worker surveillance has become an increasingly popular way to keep an eye on employees. In many cases, it’s seen as a way to improve safety and efficiency. But is this really the case? In this blog post, we will explore the pros and cons of worker surveillance and see how employers are losing out because of it. We will also look at ways that you can protect yourself from this type of employment practices.
The issue? It frequently causes more harm than good.
Employers are losing out because of worker surveillance. Surveys have consistently shown that workers are more productive when they feel comfortable communicating openly with their co-workers. However, many employers discourage open communication, fearing that it could lead to conflict or poor efficiency.
The issue is not simply a matter of efficiency; it frequently causes more harm than good. For example, one study found that workers who felt comfortable sharing ideas were also less likely to be interrupted or criticized by their superiors. This sense of freedom and independence can lead to creativity and innovation.
On the other hand, when employees are constantly monitored and their every move is scrutinized, they lose trust in their co-workers and become afraid to communicate freely. This inhibits collaboration and hinders productivity. In fact, a study conducted at Carnegie Mellon University found that worker surveillance led to a decrease in productivity equivalent to 10% of the total work time spent monitoring employees!
Clearly, there are benefits to allowing workers to communicate freely – both for the individual employee and for the company as a whole. By recognizing this reality and reassessing their policies concerning worker surveillance, employers can maximize the benefits of divided labor while avoiding the potential costs associated with decreased efficiency and productivity.
That all changed quickly when the company started allowing employees to work from home. Mark, whose name is being withheld due to career considerations, says, “The monitoring started on day one.”
When Mark joined the company, it was all about getting work done from home. Turns out that wasn’t a great policy decision, as the monitoring started on day one. As soon as he started working from home, his supervisor constantly tracked his every move and activity. He was even required to submit a report of every moment he spent away from his desk. Needless to say, this created a lot of resentment and stress within the team.
Since then, the company has slowly transitioned to allowing employees to work remotely only if they are completing specific tasks or projects. This has done little to alleviate the overall feeling of being under surveillance by management. Employees are now required to use VPNs and other security measures in order to stay anonymous while online, which only makes them feel more paranoid and helpless.
Overall, this experience has been a huge detriment to both Mark’s career advancement and mental well-being. He no longer wants anything to do with this company and would highly recommend that others avoid making the same mistakes he did
According to Karen Levy, many businesses are embracing monitoring because they believe it ensures the productivity of remote employees, regardless of how they choose to monitor workers.
According to Karen Levy, many businesses are embracing monitoring because they believe it ensures the productivity of remote employees, regardless of how they choose to monitor workers. Monitoring tools vary in their capability to track and report on a worker’s performance, but all have one common goal: To ensure that employees are productive and meeting company goals.
While surveillance technologies can be intrusive, some employers find that it is worth the investment in order to maintain a high level of productivity from their remote workers. Monitoring tools can help identify any issues early and provide solutions. In addition, tracking Workers’ Performance can also give bosses insights into why certain employees may be struggling and what steps need to be taken to improve their performance.
Employers who are considering monitoring their workers should weigh the benefits against the potential drawbacks before making a decision. While surveillance technologies can be an effective way to manage remote employees, there is always the risk of abuse or misuse. It is important for employers to have a clear policy in place governing how and when monitoring will take place so that everyone understands the boundaries of acceptable behavior.
Cornell University Information Science professor and the author of the book Data Driven: Truckers, modern workplace surveillance, and technology
In his new book, Data Driven: Truckers, modern workplace surveillance, and technology, Cornell University Information Science professor Edward Tufte describes how the use of surveillance technologies in the trucking industry has increased efficiency and safety for both drivers and company executives. However, this efficiency comes at a cost: truckers are subjected to constant scrutiny from their employers, who are using increasingly sophisticated techniques to track their every move.
Tufte argues that this type of worker surveillance is counterproductive because it reduces workers’ autonomy and freedom. He says that instead of relying on technology to Surveillance constantly watch workers in order to ensure their safety and productivity, companies should invest in training and development programs that will enable truckers to be self-sufficient and ultimately lead more productive lives.
