Executive Summary and Main Points
The latest developments in employee productivity monitoring technology, including desktop surveillance and biometric tracking, have experienced a surge in adoption, chiefly driven by the pandemic-triggered shift to remote and hybrid work conditions. Leading companies such as 98 Buck Social, Amazon, and JPMorgan Chase have implemented these tools to oversee various employee activities ranging from computer usage to office presence. Recent research indicates that nearly 80% of employers employ some form of electronic employee surveillance. The operational management of these systems falls to supervisors, raising questions about their impact on supervisor-subordinate relationships and the tension between control and developmental feedback.
Potential Impact in the Education Sector
In the realm of Further and Higher Education as well as Micro-credential offerings, these surveillance technologies could greatly affect remote teaching activities, faculty performance, and student engagement monitoring. The strategic application of such systems could either fortify or undermine faculty autonomy and student privacy while molding the staff-student relationship dynamics. Digitalization emphasises data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement, further compelling institutions to form strategic partnerships with tech vendors for implementing these monitoring systems.
Potential Applicability in the Education Sector
AI and digital tools used in monitoring can be leveraged to enhance teaching effectiveness by dissecting educators’ digital engagement patterns and student interactions. For instance, tracking faculty members’ virtual classroom time and content delivery can provide insights for professional development. Similarly, in global education systems, these technologies can assist in uncovering academic misconduct or in verifying attendance for compliance with student visa regulations. Yet, they should be implemented with a nuanced understanding of cultural and ethical variances across different countries and educational contexts.
Criticism and Potential Shortfalls
Critiques of heightened workplace monitoring stress the potential erosion of trust and increased employee resistance, leading to diminished performance and counterproductive behaviors. Research underscores the delicate balance between the perceived invasive nature of monitoring and any benefits derived from it. Comparative case studies from different corporate environments and international contexts manifest the need for culturally sensitive implementation and underscore the ethical considerations of constant employee surveillance.
Actionable Recommendations
For leaders in international education, it is critical to ensure that the role of monitoring technologies aligns with the institutional ethos and cultural context of both educators and students. Technologies must be applied to support developmental feedback rather than punitive measures. Leaders should embrace transparency in technology use, provide advance notices, respect privacy, and harness data to improve efficiency and well-being. Training for educators on the nuanced use of such feedback is essential, separating it from formal performance evaluations to mitigate negative impacts on internal relationships. By providing commensurate benefits, such as greater autonomy or flexibility in work arrangements, the potentially intrusive nature of monitoring can be offset.
Source article: https://hbr.org/2024/02/surveilling-employees-erodes-trust-and-puts-managers-in-a-bind