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Reporting data collected by observation of the total work activities of 21 manufacturing managers in the UK, this article investigates the controversy: “Are managerial jobs similar or different to each other?” The data shows that, contrary to substantial inference within the literature, significant differences can be distinguished between managerial jobs. Specific attention is directed towards the work activity differences between quality assurance and production managers. The former are shown to work with less physical intensity, make more non‐routine decisions, pursue less definable objectives and enjoy a less cooperative environment than the latter. Finally, the article raises the question of whether manufacturing managers (other than quality assurance managers) are sympathetic to the wider aims of quality assurance.

Tackles how new technology has made monitoring of employees by employers possible. Looks at how the privacy law has attempted to balance two basic interests, as it has developed over the years: employers’ interests in minimising losses and injuries/maximising production; and employees’ interests in being free from intrusion into their private affairs. Lists in depth, the four types of claim that employees have against employers: intrusion; workplace searches; electronic monitoring; and surveillance types of differing areas of privacy abuse. Concludes that both parties have to try to understand the other’s stance, to enable better relations to surface.