Managing Director, SEI D.C.
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With more employees working remotely, many companies are turning to surveillance tech to keep tabs on their teams. But is remote monitoring the best way to ensure productivity? (Hint: It's not.)
The use of surveillance technology in warehouses has become an increasingly hot topic, particularly thanks to recent articles that have coined the term “Bezosism,” Amazon’s system for using surveillance to increase employee productivity. These articles describe a new norm, one in which employers in industrial workplaces turn to technology to play a Big Brother-type role that many (including me) find unnerving.
But in a Covid-19-driven world, warehouses aren’t the only workplaces implementing surveillance technology. Now that the vast majority of companies are working from home, employers across industries are defaulting to technology to “manage” their employees — a decision that from my perspective hinders the operating health of an organization about 99% of the time.
Navigating Employee Monitoring In A Flexible Environment
Today’s employees are big fans of remote work: 97% don’t want to return to the office full time and 61% prefer being fully remote. In fact, Salesforce CEO Mark Benioff recently stated, “We're not all coming back [to the office]."
But while many employees have adjusted to remote work, today’s managers face new challenges as a result of it. Historically, it was easy to equate physical presence with job performance. Now, that’s no longer possible. So how do you manage in a world where you can’t just walk down the hallway and see your teams at work?
For many employers, surveillance technology has bridged the gap between old and new ways of working. Research has shown that the global demand for remote employee monitoring software increased by 74% in March 2020. Since then, the demand for employee surveillance tools has remained 54% higher on average than pre-pandemic levels.
But despite the growing desire for employee monitoring, the ethics behind it are muddled at best — 78% of employers use monitoring software, but 83% believe there are ethical concerns associated with it. Just writing the word “surveillance” makes me cringe, and I’m not alone. Many consider these programs downright invasive — which I believe they are.
Employers aren’t the only ones worried about the ethical concerns surrounding employee monitoring. More than half of employees report feeling stressed or anxious about the surveillance of their online activity, causing 32% of them to take fewer breaks. This leads to a toxic working environment that could have top talent looking to flee.
Where To Invest Your Resources For The Biggest Impact
As concerns surrounding surveillance tech continue to fill the headlines, many wonder: Could the millions of dollars employers are funneling into surveillance software be better spent elsewhere? I certainly believe so. A whole lot can happen when we invest in our employees instead of technology used to control them.
Here are a few ways employers can successfully manage employees remotely, without the use of toxic tech:
1. Manager Training
Many managers don’t have the skills to manage employees remotely; it wasn’t part of their job description when they were hired. Fortunately, a little training can go a long way.
According to a study from LinkedIn, 94% of employees said "they would stay at a company longer if it invested in their learning and development." One study also found that organizations that offer comprehensive training experience a 24% higher profit margin than those that don’t.
It’s time for organizations to prioritize employee training for all employees — especially managers, whose leadership abilities directly impact every member of their team. For managers, training could take the form of a mentorship program, interactive webinars and remote workshops with management consulting professionals.
2. Employee Recognition From Managers, Not HR
Employees who feel valued are more likely to give full attention and care to their jobs. But the reality is, today’s employees aren’t feeling the love. In fact, lack of recognition is one of the top reasons employees leave an organization, underpinning the importance of more recognition from their manager. Many employees also don’t feel equipped with the tools they need to improve their productivity — more than one-third claim their job is made harder by outdated processes and legacy technology.
It’s time to empower managers with more flexibility to invest in their employees through better bonuses, recognition software and appropriate technology. When employees are happier, 85% take more initiative, 73% say they’re better collaborators and nearly half care more about their work.
3. Prioritize Technologies That Create Community
While some want to use technology to restrict employees, we can (and should) also use it to unite and empower them. Spurred by the pandemic and society’s appetite for connection amid isolation, many new platforms have emerged to build community virtually.
For example, companies like Gather take video conferencing to the next level with customizable workspaces that make employees feel like they’re right in the office working together. A user can “sit” at a table or hop into the virtual kitchen to connect with others quickly. The tool is productive and — most importantly — fun.
The right technologies can boost employee engagement and lead to greater output. According to Gallup, teams who score in the top quartile of engagement yield a 41% reduction in absenteeism and 59% less turnover.
Creating A New Norm For Remote And Flexible Employee Management
They may not know it or want to acknowledge it, but companies with lots of brand recognition like Amazon significantly impact workplace trends and policies at companies large and small, young and old. Employee monitoring via surveillance technology is one trend that I believe must come to an end.
Fortunately, there’s a simple solution if you’re willing to opt out of the employee surveillance mentality. Through training programs, employee recognition and the right technologies, companies can create a more effective remote and flexible work environment that nurtures productivity, results and happier, healthier employees — no invasive technology required.
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