Growing trend of employee surveillance tool raises concerns

The recent dismissal of an Australian insurance worker due to her company’s use of keystroke technology to monitor her activities has caused alarm over the increasing adoption of employee surveillance tools, warn experts.

Suzie Cheikho, a former consultant at Insurance Australia Group (IAG), was terminated in February for failing to meet deadlines, missing meetings, and not completing a task that led to a fine from the industry regulator. This incident highlights a concerning rise in the use of surveillance technologies to monitor remote workers’ activities.

Cheikho’s case involved a detailed analysis of her keystroke activity over several working days, revealing a low level of activity that suggested inadequate work engagement. The review found that she averaged only 54 keystrokes per hour during her surveillance period.

Uri Gal, a professor of business information systems at the University of Sydney, noted that over 50 percent of global organisations now utilize online monitoring tools for their workforce. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this trend, as remote work became more prevalent, and managers sought to ensure continued productivity.

Gal also expressed concern about the need for more awareness among employees regarding the extent of surveillance on their work laptops. He emphasised that while some level of monitoring might be expected in the workplace, ethical implications arise when employees are monitored without knowledge.

While these surveillance technologies might provide short-term benefits to organisations, Gal questioned their long-term viability in fostering a healthy work culture built on trust and collaboration. He pointed out that treating employees like children could lead to counterproductive outcomes.

Dr. Daniel Schlagwein, an associate professor at the University of Sydney Business School specializing in remote work, argued that traditional key performance indicators (KPIs) could manage underperforming employees without invasive monitoring.

Fiona Macdonald from the Centre for Future Work at the Australia Institute highlighted the expanding use of surveillance and AI in workforce management, raising ethical and legal concerns. The reliance on AI-driven decision-making could lead to unjust outcomes and compromise workers’ rights.

The shift toward remote work during the pandemic prompted the adoption of employee monitoring software, with some companies even using sophisticated spyware. Tools like “mouse jigglers” emerged to counteract surveillance by simulating activity. Some workers also turned to innovative solutions like placing a small vibrating device under their mouse to appear active.

EfficientLab, a company producing employee surveillance software, reported increased demand during the pandemic. The software tracks active time and productivity scores and gives managers insights into employees’ work habits.

Although these tools are promoted as improving productivity, concerns persist regarding their potential misuse and the impact on employee well-being. Experts urge a balanced approach that respects employees’ privacy while fostering a culture of trust and collaboration in the evolving landscape of remote work.

As the world navigates the changing dynamics of work, the responsible adoption of technology should prioritise transparency, ethics, and employee well-being to ensure a productive and supportive work environment.