Employee Surveillance Technology Could Spiral Out of Control, TUC Warns

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has issued a warning about the growing use of intrusive worker surveillance technologies, calling for stronger regulations to prevent potential abuse in the workplace. The union cautions that without proper safeguards, the unchecked expansion of monitoring tech could result in widespread discrimination, increased work pressure, and unfair treatment of employees.

A recent TUC survey found that 60% of workers believe they have experienced some form of surveillance or monitoring in their current or most recent job. The use of such technologies surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, as remote work became more common and employers sought new ways to monitor productivity and manage employees from a distance.

Common forms of workplace surveillance include tracking emails and file usage, monitoring webcams on work devices, recording keystrokes to track typing activity, logging phone calls, and observing employees through CCTV cameras or wearable tracking devices. The TUC argues that the pervasive nature of these technologies could erode trust in the workplace and infringe on workers’ rights to privacy.

The union is advocating for stronger regulatory frameworks to protect workers and ensure that surveillance practices do not lead to biased decision-making or excessive pressure on employees. The TUC also emphasizes the need for transparency from employers about the use of monitoring technologies and calls for safeguards to prevent the misuse of employee data.

As surveillance technology continues to advance and becomes more embedded in the workplace, the TUC stresses the importance of balancing productivity goals with the rights and well-being of workers.

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