A Third of UK Firms Using ‘Bossware’ to Monitor Workers’ Activity, Survey Reveals
A third of UK employers are utilizing ‘boss,ware’ technology to track employees’ activity, with the most common methods involving the monitoring of emails and web browsing. According to a report from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), private companies are the most likely to implement in-work surveillance, with one in seven employers reporting that they record or review screen activity. The survey, which estimates the extent of office snooping, is based on responses from hundreds of UK managers and highlights a significant increase in the use of computerized work surveillance.
In 2023, less than a fifth of people believed they were being monitored by an employer, according to the Information Commissioner’s Office. However, the CMI’s findings suggest there has been a recent growth in the use of such technology. The report highlights that approximately a third of managers report that their organizations are monitoring workers’ online activities on employer-owned devices. However, the data may be an underestimate, as roughly the same proportion of managers said they do not know what tracking their organizations are doing.
Many of the monitoring systems are aimed at preventing insider threats and safeguarding sensitive information, as well as detecting productivity dips. However, the trend is causing unease among some managers. A large minority of managers are opposed to the practice, citing it as a violation of their personal privacy and an erosion of trust. The report from CMI indicates an increasing concern over the balance between productivity and employee rights. As the use of such technology continues to grow, questions remain about its ethical implications and the need for transparency and regulations to protect employee privacy.
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