How Worker Surveillance Is Backfiring on Employers

An increasing number of companies are monitoring their employees. The problem? It’s often doing more harm than good. Plus, how realistic are four-day workweeks?

The big problem with worker monitoring

With the rise in remote work has come a surge in workplace monitoring – some 2022 estimates posit the number of large firms?monitoring workers has doubled?since the beginning of the pandemic. Some monitoring programs record keystrokes or track computer activity by taking periodic screenshots. Other software records calls or meetings, even accessing employees’ webcams. Some programmes also enable full remote access to workers’ systems.?

Regardless of how they choose to monitor workers, many firms are embracing the practice because they believe it ensures the productivity of remote employees, says Karen Levy, associate professor in the Department of Information Science at Cornell University, US.

But amid the uptick in monitoring, there’s mounting evidence that electronic surveillance can, in some cases, do more harm than good. Not only do workers chafe against it, but surveillance can also lead to stress, cause employees to quit and even make workers do their jobs worse – on purpose.

Read more from Kate Morgan and Delaney Nolan on the effects of workplace surveillance.?

Who will actually get a four-day workweek?

Once unthinkable, the four-day workweek has been gaining traction. Global trials are yielding positive results, and an increasing number of companies have transitioned to the shorter week.

But while some experts are heralding the dawn of a new way to work, others say it may not be that simple. For instance, some people won’t be in a position to work fewer hours or fewer days without losing income; other employees will have to wait for their bosses to make large-scale structural changes before they can implement a shortened workweek.

Read more from Joanna York on the reality of a shortened workweek.?

Plus, from BBC Business: New tech is offering relief from the misery of period pain.

Until next week, find more at BBC Worklife?and?BBC Business.

– Meredith Turits , Editor, BBC Worklife