In today’s workplaces, the omnipresence of digital surveillance technologies may leave employees feeling as though they are being scrutinised from every angle. With advancements in artificial intelligence, these systems track not just physical presence but also online activities, stirring fears about autonomy and personal well-being. While beneficial in specific high-risk settings, their often invasive nature raises profound ethical concerns regarding privacy and control within professional environments.
Dr. Krystle Shore, a postdoctoral fellow from the University of Waterloo, investigates the complexities surrounding the justification and practical function of surveillance technologies in workplaces. Her research delves into the socio-cultural values that shape these systems while examining their role in addressing broader societal issues like public health and police surveillance. Employee monitoring is not a new phenomenon, but today’s AI-driven techniques have escalated into far more sophisticated and intrusive forms.
Modern monitoring technologies extend well beyond traditional settings, invading employees’ homes and personal communications, especially amid the rise of remote work. Though often cloaked in rhetoric of enhancing productivity and security, the actual benefits remain largely unsubstantiated. Instead, these invasive practices can breed a culture of micromanagement that diminishes trust and well-being among staff.
The implications of such surveillance extend deeply into worker’s lives, magnifying stress while entrenching discrimination and power imbalances. Despite some potential advantages in certain high-risk environments, the true beneficiaries of these systems are often upper management and corporate decision-makers rather than the employees they claim to serve. The pressing issue lies not with who benefits but with the costs borne by workers, especially those from racialised communities.
Digital monitoring systems frequently exacerbate existing social inequities, leading to heightened scrutiny of vulnerable employees, such as those in precarious job roles. Industries like gig work exemplify this dynamic, with firms like Uber and Amazon employing algorithmic management tools that monitor and control workers rigorously, reinforcing significant power imbalances. Such systems uphold a visual dominance over workers while shielding senior roles from similar oversight, creating further labour inequalities.
To address these pressing issues, the University of Waterloo will host a panel discussion on February 27 titled “Surveillance, Privacy and Algorithmic Power in the Workplace.” Dr. Shore and her fellow researchers will provide valuable insights into the implications of emerging surveillance technologies, illuminating the power dynamics at play in today’s organisations. Beyond academic discourse, local initiatives are also reshaping the narrative by focusing on community collaboration and reconciliation efforts across campuses.
Digital surveillance in workplaces is increasingly sophisticated, tracking employees in ways that infringe on privacy and autonomy. Dr. Krystle Shore’s research explores how these technologies reinforce power imbalances, particularly affecting vulnerable workers. The rising trend of such invasive monitoring invites ethical concerns and calls for discussions on the societal impacts within professional settings, showcased in an upcoming panel at the University of Waterloo.
Digital surveillance technologies, while sometimes justified for safety, often infringe on employee privacy and autonomy, creating more harm than good. Dr. Krystle Shore’s research highlights that such systems privilege management while disproportionally affecting workers from marginalised communities. The upcoming panel discussion at the University of Waterloo serves as a critical platform to explore these issues further, illuminating the challenges and ethical questions posed by workplace surveillance in our modern era.
Original Source: uwaterloo.ca
