Workplace surveillance is on t... Note
Fast Company

Workplace surveillance is on the rise. Here’s how to protect your personal data from your employer

Technology adoption during the pandemic has led to widespread employer surveillance of workers, raising privacy concerns. Employers now track locations, productivity, and communications with AI-powered digital tools, creating extensive employee data dossiers. This monitoring is often more intrusive for lower-wage workers who have less power in the labor market. Investigations reveal that many workplace monitoring programs share sensitive employee data with outside companies without clear disclosure. Pharmacist Lannie Duong's experience of being monitored for appointment length led to feelings of hopelessness and eventual termination after she sought to organize a union. The article highlights that while some employers are transparent about monitoring, others are not, leading to unfair ranking and scoring of employees. Experts advise workers to band together and advocate for themselves, as the speed of technological change is rapid. Understanding what data employers collect is crucial, and researching industry surveillance trends is recommended. Professor Arianna Anaya's experience of administrators reading student essays and her comments on them led to her contract not being renewed. Some states, like Maine, have laws requiring notification of monitoring and restricting surveillance in personal spaces. If such laws don't exist, workers can cautiously inquire about data usage or coordinate with unions. Experts recommend avoiding the use of work devices for personal or sensitive matters to safeguard privacy.
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