The Repercussions of Employer Surveillance, Workers Getting Worse at Their Jobs And More Likely To Quit

By Moon Harper

Dec 04, 2023 03:57 AM EST

Employer Surveillance — (Photo : Unsplash/Matthew Henry )

The rise of employee surveillance poses potential risks for employers, as it may lead to unintended consequences and backlash. While employers may deploy surveillance tools to monitor productivity, time management, or other work-related metrics, the increased scrutiny could negatively impact employee morale, trust, and overall job satisfaction.

(Photo : Unplash/Jason Dent )

Micro-Management On Remote-Hybrid Era

Arjun Sharma, a 26-year-old software engineer who works remotely, shared through CNBC Make It that he discovered the employee monitoring tool "Time Doctor" on his work laptop, which he initially didn't pay much attention to. To him, it felt like a routine process of signing in and out for work. However, his perspective changed when his manager started discussing "productivity reports" in their one-on-one meetings. The tool tracked periods of inactivity, even when he had completed tasks early, leading to discussions about constantly staying engaged.

For a long time, micromanagers have been present in workplaces. However, the increase in remote and hybrid work arrangements, primarily since the pandemic, has led to heightened concerns about productivity, termed by Microsoft as "productivity paranoia." With the shift to hybrid work, 85% of leaders find it challenging to trust their employees' productivity. Consequently, there has been a significant rise in the demand for employee monitoring software. According to a report, searches for such software increased by 75% in March 2020 compared to the 2019 monthly average, and this demand has continued in 2021 and 2022.

How Does "Employee Monitoring" Affect Workers?

Employees may react differently to employee monitoring depending on a number of factors, including workplace culture, the type of monitoring being done, and the degree of openness and communication surrounding these practices. The following are some typical ways that employee monitoring may impact worker's feelings:

Privacy Concerns

Employee unease, tension, or mistrust may result from feeling as though their privacy has been violated.

Stress and Anxiety

The ongoing awareness of being watched over can make employees feel more stressed and anxious, which can be detrimental to their mental health.

Impact on Creativity

Employees may be reluctant to investigate innovative ideas or take chances if they worry about unfavorable outcomes; surveillance could hinder spontaneous and creative thought.

Decreased Job Satisfaction

Being watched over all the time can create a bad work atmosphere, affecting employee retention and lower job satisfaction.

Strained Employer-Employee Relationships

The relationship between employers and employees can be strained by excessive surveillance if there is a lack of clear communication and transparency, which destroys trust.

Burnout

Continuous monitoring may contribute to burnout if staff members experience pressure to maintain a high level of productivity without taking breaks.

Reduced Autonomy

Employee motivation and job satisfaction may suffer if they feel micromanaged and have less autonomy.

Monitoring employees with tools can have both advantages and disadvantages. It can improve security and accountability, but it can also cause stress lower job satisfaction, and raise privacy concerns. It's critical to communicate clearly and take a balanced approach. Employers need to address privacy concerns, be transparent about the reason behind surveillance, and promote a flexible and trustworthy work environment. Finding the ideal balance is crucial to maximizing the advantages of surveillance while protecting worker happiness and well-being. Overall, managing employee monitoring technologies in the workplace requires careful consideration and ethical behavior.