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The age of surveillance: Are we creating a workplace dystopia?
- Remote work was heralded as a revolution—a promise of freedom and flexibility, a balancing act between personal lives and professional excellence. But as the pandemic catapulted millions into working from home, a quiet transformation began.
- In their quest for productivity, companies have turned to invasive technologies that track every keystroke, mouse movement, and idle moment. The so-called ‘Big Four’ and countless other organisations now deploy AI-powered systems that flag typing speed, monitor browser activity, and even alert managers when an employee appears ‘unproductive’.
- Faced with unrelenting scrutiny, employees have turned to ingenious hacks. Enter the undetectable mouse jiggler—a physical device designed to simulate activity by periodically moving the mouse, making it appear as though the user is engaged in work. It’s ironic, almost laughable, that such devices even exist.
- Here’s the fundamental flaw in this approach: Presence, whether physical or digital, is not productivity. Sitting at a desk and frantically moving a mouse doesn’t guarantee great ideas or meaningful results.
- Surveillance comes at a steep price—one that employers often fail to account for. According to a Glassdoor survey of 2,300 professionals in the U.S., 41 per cent reported feeling less productive when they knew their work devices were being monitored.
- The critical flaw in the surveillance approach is its false equivalence between activity and productivity. Productivity is not about keystrokes or hours logged into a system; it’s about outcomes. Results, not rigid adherence to metrics, should be the yardstick by which performance is measured.
- The rise of hybrid work offers an unparalleled opportunity to redefine how we work. Instead of doubling down on dystopian surveillance, organisations must focus on creating environments that empower employees to thrive.
- Clear expectations and transparent communication, not invasive monitoring, should guide remote teams. Employees are adults—professionals who can manage their responsibilities when treated with respect.
- It’s time for a new vision of work—one where dignity and collaboration replace suspicion and control. Employers must ask themselves: are they building workplaces that inspire, or ones that terrify?
- Employers, take note: The choice is clear. You can either create a culture of fear or a culture of trust. The latter will always win—not just for your employees, but for your bottom line.
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