Two in Three Say Workplace Surveillance Culture Would Discourage Them From Working for an Organisation

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, Aug. 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Surveillance and online security blog Online Spy Shop polled 2,000 adults on their attitudes to and perceptions of workplace monitoring and surveillance, with specific focus on 'non-standard' methods, discounting standard methods of tracking such as keycard access and CCTV.

Almost half (48%) said that if an organisation was unclear about or unwilling to disclose the surveillance methods they used, they would be less likely to want to work for that organisation. And two thirds (64%) said disclosure of 'non-standard' workplace surveillance methods such as facial recognition technology and mandatory health tracking would discourage them from seeking employment with that organisation.

Of the two thirds who said that an organization's approach to surveillance and monitoring could negatively affect their perceptions, the largest deterrent was use of facial recognition technology. 80% said that facial recognition would be a serious deterrent.

The second largest cause for concern was sleep tracking through wearable tech, which is increasing in popularity. Other deterrents for potential employees were sleep tracking, keystroke monitoring, health tracking and location tracking.

Attitudes to surveillance varied considerably depending on whether the surveillance is optional or mandatory. When surveillance was offered as an optional aid, for example like sleep tracking and health monitoring, participants were significantly less likely to be put off.

A spokesperson for Online Spy Shop said: "Employees are used to a degree of surveillance perceive measures such as CCTV and logged keycard entry as fairly standard. Some employees, especially younger workers, are comfortable with optional, performance-related monitoring, such as wearable health and activity tracking. Where they start to object is when terms and conditions are unclear, or if the surveillance is non-standard and mandatory, for example the use of facial recognition technology. Arbitrary monitoring rightly arouses suspicion and could be denying organisations access to the best talent."

About the research
Essential Content polled 2,000 adults based in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, France and The Netherlands between the dates of July 31, 2019 and August 4, 2019.

About Online Spy Shop
Online Spy Shop is a trading name of OSS Technology Ltd, surveillance and security equipment specialist founded in 2005. Online Spy Shop supplies equipment and consultancy to private businesses, police forces, government agencies and private individuals throughout the UK and worldwide.

Contact:
Sean O'Meara
07814937041
[email protected]

SOURCE OSS Technology Ltd