Remote monitoring borders on spying in the workforce

Remote work software has become synonymous with remote work. After the pandemic forced everyone to stay home, a huge part of the workforce moved home with it, and even now that the pandemic is over, working from home has become a new normal. With that, remote monitoring software has seen an uptick in adoption all over the world. In the US, over 60% of employers deploy these monitoring software, but at what cost?

Remote work – illustrative photo. Image credit: Unsplash, free license

Bossware: An invasion of privacy

While at first glance, remote monitoring software might seem like the logical next step for employers to take, a closer look reveals that there might be an underlying problem with how invasive the program really is. The adoption of tracking devices and software to ensure that employees are doing their due diligence has not been widely welcomed with open arms. From tracking keystrokes on your computer or mobile device to capturing screenshots on your devices, this tracking behavior is starting to chafe on many employees who feel that their privacy is being compromised.

Monitoring has always existed

One thing that many in the workforce may have overlooked is that monitoring has always taken place in the form of surveillance tools such as security cameras and even email tracking software. Work computers and devices often have software installed that can provide insights to what employees are doing on those devices and there are also certain restrictions imposed that prevent them from downloading or using those devices for anything other than work. When you’re working on a company issued device, always assume that nothing you do on it is private.

Does remote monitoring actually boost productivity?

There are two sides to this coin. On one hand, employers now have to spend time reviewing all the data of their employees to ensure that they really are hard at work and those are hours better spent on optimizing their company or adopting more practical practices. On the other hand, statistics have also shown that employee monitoring may not actually increase productivity, though more data is needed on the study.

The future of remote work technology

The facts are there, though disgruntled, employees have to accept that surveillance is part and parcel of the working environment and with the kinds of breakthroughs that we are seeing the in tech industry, we shouldn’t be surprised when we are presented with wearables, smart office furniture, and AI-based tech that will keep a close eye on our performance. In fact, implantable chips might also become part and parcel of joining a company in the future, given that we are moving towards that direction where technology is becoming more and more integrated into our everyday lives and it is only natural for it to seep into not just our personal lives but also in the workplace.

In conclusion, the trend of remote work ushered in an increased use of monitoring software, raising important questions about privacy and efficacy. While surveillance has always been part of work culture, the degree of intrusion associated with remote monitoring software feels invasive to many. Although these tools intend to enhance productivity, their actual impact remains debated. As technology continues to evolve, integrating more into our daily lives, workers need to strike a balance between enabling productivity, maintaining privacy, and ensuring human dignity within the digital work environment.