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News » Excessive surveillance undermines remote work benefits, expert says

Excessive surveillance undermines remote work benefits, expert says

WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES — A hybrid work expert calls for a balanced approach to remote work surveillance by employers. 

As companies like J.P. Morgan, Barclays Bank, and UnitedHealth Group increasingly monitor employee activities like keystrokes and emails, the U.S. federal government has initiated measures to curtail employee surveillance, aiming to uphold workers’ rights and protect their privacy.

However, Gleb Tsipursky, CEO of hybrid work consultancy Disaster Avoidance Experts, warns that government efforts to restrict such surveillance could inadvertently harm the benefits of remote work. 

“Authentic productivity is derived from a culture of empowerment, not enforcement,” Tsipursky wrote on The Hill.

“Employers must learn from and trust the data showing that respect for employees’ autonomy and privacy will get them a lot farther than constant cyber-surveillance.”

A ResumeBuilder.com survey reveals that 37% of employers require live video feeds of remote staff, while ExpressVPN’s report shows nearly 80% of employers use monitoring software spurred by “productivity paranoia.”

Tsipursky highlights a divide between large and small businesses. Larger firms are more likely to adopt surveillance and structured models, potentially pushing talent toward smaller, more trusting companies. There is also concern that companies might scale back remote work to avoid regulatory pitfalls. 

“The government’s crackdown on remote work surveillance might exacerbate this divide, pushing larger companies steer clear of new regulations not by curbing employee surveillance, but by requiring a return to the office,” Tsipursky explained.

“This could inadvertently make these large corporations less attractive to current and prospective employees who value flexibility and autonomy in their work environments.” 

Tsipursky’s nuanced discussion points to the need for employers and policymakers to carefully consider the impact of their actions on the future of work. 

He believes that a balanced approach that prioritizes trust over excessive monitoring is the key to preserving the benefits of remote work while respecting employee privacy.

“Although the government’s intentions to safeguard employees from invasive surveillance are commendable, these efforts must be carefully balanced against the need to preserve the advantages of remote work.”

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