Workplace surveillance risks dampening productivity

Subject

The impact of workplace surveillance.

Significance

While surveillance at work has a long history, recent technological innovations have made widespread and detailed surveillance much more cost-effective. The development of new forms of digital surveillance are changing the dynamics in many workplaces.

Impacts

• Surveillance is increasingly occurring in workplaces that were previously not monitored.
• Current regulation is not suitable for emerging forms of surveillance and regulatory policy will struggle to keep pace with developments.
• Digital records will enable citizens to hold institutions to account, especially law enforcement.