Title: There’s been a big rise in monitoring workers at home. We should all be worried.
Author: Owen Hughes
Publish Date: November 8, 2021
Website: www.ZDNet.com
Interesting article that impacts all of us in the new work from home environment. This article expresses the very real concerns of remote monitoring tool becoming breaches of employee privacy. From being watched via webcam, tracking of online activity, and using surveillance software. This is not for “security” but instead to gauge that you are actually working and what you are working on. The biggest concern being that employees are largely unaware that they are being monitored. This articles is focused on the UK but the dangers of abuse are applicable across any country.
It seems like a reshaping of the industry is in order. Key elements of discussion:
- Reviewing employer guidance on new workplace technologies
- Full transparency on how these technologies are used and what data is being gathered
- Modifying or creating new laws that protect employees and employers when using webcams to monitor people working from home or checking up on employees outside of meetings and calls.
- Discrimination by age group or race, GDPR breaches for data being tracked on employees, unregulated use of snooping technology.
This is a very interesting topic given that a large percentage of the population is now working remote. I have to admit that this didn’t cross my mind.. not until I read this article.
-Vanessa
I am very interested in this topic and how things evolve. I think excessive monitoring is a symptom of bad business practice. Managers should be trained on how to support remote workers without surveillance and employees should be coached on how to communicate status, etc while remote. Unfortunately I think we’ll see more surveillance as this is an easier solution than up-skilling the workforce.
Thanks for sharing!