Workplace surveillance is becoming an inescapable reality for employees across the UK, with new research showing that 85 per cent of employers now monitor their staff’s online activity.
What’s Going On?
While businesses argue that these measures are essential for productivity and security, research indicates that employees are increasingly feeling the strain, leading to stress, distrust, and even resignations. So, just how widespread is workplace surveillance, what methods are being used, and what does it mean for the future of work?
The Scale of Workplace Surveillance
Workplace surveillance refers to the various ways employers track, record, and analyse their employees’ activities during work hours. While some monitoring practices, such as logging clock-in times, have been around for decades (going as far back as the nineteenth century), the digital era has significantly expanded what’s possible. Employers are now using sophisticated tools to track emails, internet usage, keystrokes, and even employees’ locations. In some cases, surveillance goes even further, with real-time screen monitoring and video surveillance becoming increasingly common.
The latest findings from an ExpressVPN survey have highlighted just how pervasive this practice has become. Their research shows that 85 per cent of UK employers admit to monitoring their staff in some way, with 54 per cent tracking active work hours, 36 per cent keeping an eye on website visits, and 27 per cent using software to observe employees’ screens in real-time. More intrusive measures, such as keystroke logging and location tracking, are also on the rise.
Employers Prefer In-Office Work
It appears that this shift has been accelerated by remote and hybrid work models which, since the pandemic years, have left many employers feeling out of control. The ExpressVPN study found that 72 per cent of employers prefer in-office work because it reduces the need for surveillance, while 51 per cent openly admit that they do not trust employees to work unsupervised.
Who’s Watching – Large Corporations or Small Businesses?
It seems that workplace surveillance isn’t just confined to large corporations and both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are known to be engaging in these practices. However, larger firms tend to have more sophisticated monitoring tools and policies in place.
For example, tech giants such as Amazon have long been criticised for using surveillance technology to track warehouse workers and delivery drivers. Employees have reported feeling intense pressure due to constant monitoring, with some even being penalised for taking bathroom breaks. Similarly, financial institutions such as Barclays and PwC have been reported to track employees’ computer activity, logging how long they are active on their devices.
Also, companies like Microsoft have faced backlash over their “Productivity Score” tool, which was criticised for allowing managers to monitor individual workers’ performance at an almost microscopic level. In response to concerns about privacy, Microsoft eventually scaled back the tool’s capabilities, but the fact remains that workplace surveillance is no longer just about keeping track of attendance but is more about watching employees’ every digital move.
Why is Workplace Surveillance Increasing?
The rise of workplace surveillance is closely tied to the growing number of employees working remotely or in hybrid arrangements. Many businesses feel that without physical oversight, they cannot ensure that staff are working productively.
Employers also cite security concerns as a major reason for surveillance. With more employees accessing company data from home, businesses worry about sensitive information being leaked, stolen, or misused. Surveillance is seen as a way to safeguard against these risks, ensuring that employees are not engaging in unauthorised activities.
However, there is also a less talked-about reason behind the rise in monitoring, i.e. control. Many businesses simply feel uneasy about not being able to see what their staff are doing at all times. This has led to an increasing reliance on tracking tools to maintain a sense of authority, even when employees are working from home.
The Most Common Forms of Workplace Surveillance
Workplace monitoring can take many forms, ranging from relatively standard practices to highly invasive measures. The main forms highlighted by the ExpressVPN research include:
– Email and Chat Monitoring – 36 per cent of companies track employees’ emails, while 28 per cent monitor internal chat logs. This means that even private conversations between colleagues on work devices may not be as private as employees think.
– Keystroke Logging – 15 per cent of businesses record keystrokes, capturing exactly what employees type, including passwords and personal messages.
– Real-Time Screen Monitoring – More than a quarter (27 per cent) of employers actively view employees’ screens, allowing them to see what is being worked on in real time.
– Location Tracking – 21 per cent of businesses use GPS to monitor where employees are working from, raising concerns about whether staff members are being tracked outside of work hours.
The Ethical and Legal Debate
Workplace surveillance is actually a bit of a legal grey area in the UK. For example, although employers are permitted to monitor employees, there are rules about how they must go about it. The Data Protection Act 2018 and the European Convention on Human Rights provide some safeguards, stating that surveillance must be proportionate, transparent, and conducted for a legitimate business purpose.
However, many employees remain unaware of their rights. For example, ExpressVPN’s research found that 38 per cent of UK workers did not realise their employers were legally allowed to monitor their digital activity. Also, 79 per cent of Brits believe that workplace surveillance needs stricter government regulation to protect employee privacy.
The ethical concerns are even more pressing. Many employees feel that excessive monitoring creates a culture of distrust, reducing morale and increasing stress. If workers constantly feel watched, they are less likely to feel comfortable in their roles, which can lead to lower productivity and higher staff turnover.
How Workplace Surveillance Affects Employees
The impact of surveillance on employees is profound. Nearly half (46 per cent) of UK workers report feeling increased stress due to monitoring, with many saying they are constantly worried about how their actions might be perceived.
ExpressVPN’s research revealed that some employees have even altered their behaviour in response to surveillance. For example, 27 per cent say they take fewer breaks to avoid appearing unproductive.
It seems that workplace surveillance can also take its toll on employees mentally and emotionally. For example, according to the research:
– 23 per cent feel pressured to work longer hours.
– 32 per cent constantly wonder whether they are being watched.
– 14 per cent report feeling dehumanised by the extent of monitoring.
Young Employees Affected The Most
Young employees are particularly affected, with workers aged 18-24 feeling the highest levels of stress over being monitored.
Employees’ Reactions
As revealed by the survey, in response to surveillance, some employees have begun using creative, if questionable, tactics to avoid being flagged for inactivity. For example:
– 18 per cent admit to keeping unnecessary applications open to appear busy.
– 15 per cent schedule emails to send at certain times to give the impression of constant engagement.
– 11 per cent use ‘mouse jigglers’ or keyboard simulation software to avoid being marked as inactive.
These workarounds suggest that rather than boosting productivity, excessive surveillance may actually be encouraging employees to focus more on appearing busy rather than doing meaningful work.
It should be noted that employers are increasingly deploying advanced monitoring tools capable of detecting deceptive behaviours used by employees to get around surveillance. For example, companies like Wells Fargo have identified (and dismissed) employees for simulating keyboard activity to appear productive.
Is Workplace Surveillance Actually Effective?
Employers argue that monitoring increases productivity, but much of the evidence seems to suggest otherwise. While some studies indicate that limited monitoring can help prevent misconduct, excessive surveillance tends to have the opposite effect. Employees who feel watched are more likely to experience burnout, decreased engagement, and ultimately lower performance.
For example, a study by the Austrian research group Cracked Labs found that overly aggressive surveillance can lead to a toxic work environment, where employees feel like they are constantly being scrutinised. This, in turn, leads to lower morale and higher staff turnover, which can cost businesses more in the long run.
The Future of Workplace Surveillance
With AI and advanced analytics becoming more sophisticated, workplace monitoring is only set to expand. Some companies are already using AI-powered surveillance to track everything from facial expressions during video calls to time spent away from a keyboard.
However, the backlash is growing. Employees are increasingly demanding transparency and greater legal protection. If businesses fail to strike a balance between oversight and trust, they risk creating a workforce that feels resentful, stressed, and ultimately disengaged.
What Does This Mean For Your Business?
While workplace surveillance is often justified by employers as a necessary tool for maintaining productivity and security, the reality may be more complex. The evidence suggests that while some level of monitoring may help prevent misconduct, excessive surveillance can backfire, leading to stress, disengagement, and resentment among employees. Instead of fostering a culture of productivity, it can create an environment of fear and mistrust, where workers are more focused on appearing active rather than doing meaningful work.
The increasing reliance on monitoring technology, particularly in remote and hybrid work settings, appears to reveal a fundamental lack of trust between employers and employees. This lack of trust, rather than improving performance, is more likely to damage morale and increase staff turnover. The findings from ExpressVPN’s research make it clear that many employees feel dehumanised and pressured under constant scrutiny, with younger workers being the most affected. When employees feel like they are being watched at every moment, the psychological toll can be significant, affecting their well-being and ultimately their performance.
While UK law does allow workplace monitoring for legitimate business purposes, the rules surrounding transparency and proportionality are not always strictly enforced. The fact that nearly four in ten employees are unaware of their rights in this regard suggests a concerning lack of clarity and communication. This is why there is growing demand for stronger regulations to ensure that workplace surveillance is conducted fairly and with clear boundaries.
For businesses, the challenge lies in striking the right balance. Employers should really weigh the benefits of monitoring against the potential negative consequences. Surveillance should ideally be used as a tool to support productivity, not as a mechanism of control that erodes trust and morale. Transparency is key. When employees understand why monitoring is in place, how data is being used, and what safeguards exist, they are more likely to accept it as a legitimate part of their working environment rather than as an invasive overreach.
The future of workplace surveillance is likely to be shaped by advancements in AI and monitoring technology, but also by the growing pushback from employees and privacy advocates. If businesses fail to recognise the risks of excessive surveillance, they may find themselves facing higher attrition rates, lower engagement, and potential legal challenges. The key takeaway from all of this is really that trust and productivity go hand in hand. If employers truly want a motivated and efficient workforce, they may wish to focus less on surveillance and more on creating a workplace culture built on transparency, fairness, and mutual respect.
