Employers monitoring the productivity of their workers have become a norm, especially during the pandemic when people were forced to work at home due to the restrictions. However, it calls into question the lines that may be crossed.
Calls for Information from Workers
The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) from the Biden Administration has requested information about worker surveillance from the public, in an effort to better understand how productivity tracking works between employers and workers.
OSTP's Deputy Chief Deidre Mulligan says that employers are increasingly investing in technology that can track and monitor workers, who will then make decisions based on that information, as mentioned in Gizmodo.
Mulligan enumerated some risks that can stem from constant surveillance, such as working moving too fast on the job, which can pose risks to both their safety and mental health. It can also prevent workers from exercising some rights.
For instance, knowing that their conversations are or might be tracked can make them reluctant to "organize and collectively bargain with their employers," which is their right, as well as automated surveillance resulting in workplace discrimination or differential treatment.
The OSTP wishes to hear from people who have experienced the surveillance themselves, both on the side of the employers and the employees. Researchers who study its effects are also welcome to weigh in on the subject, as well as developers and vendors of the technology.
In addition to that, the office will also be glad to receive relevant data and research, suggestions on the best way to mitigate the risk to workers, and ideas on how the federal government should respond to both risks and opportunities.
Anyone can send their Request for Information (RFI) submissions or stories regarding the matter through workersurveillance@ostp.eop.gov or the Federal eRulemaking Portal, although it should be submitted before the deadline, June 15th, 2023.
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Monitoring Employees
Automated surveillance has been associated with negative implications. After all, being watched while you work seems like an unsettling idea for a work environment, but it has its uses just as it could potentially promote an unhealthy workspace.
Knowing that employees are monitored, they can be more productive with their work, especially when they do so remotely. This means that employers will be able to get the amount of work that they pay for since workers will be discouraged to slack.
One of the misconceptions is that companies will invade your private life, but the surveillance software is usually only installed on company-used devices. A study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology shows a 7% increase in profit when employees were monitored.
However, this can affect employee performance negatively as well. There are some who cannot work accordingly when they know they are being watched due to the added pressure. It can also form an environment of distrust, as mentioned in Business.
Too much access can also be dangerous in certain situations. For instance, an employee may forget to switch from a work email to a personal email, so employers will be able to read messages that were meant to be sent privately, which can contain private data like bank accounts.
