Heading Back to Work? Beware of Workplace Monitoring Systems

For many employees, returning to the office doesn’t just mean resuming in-person work. It also brings an unsettling reality—increased workplace surveillance. Companies selling monitoring technology promote their products as essential tools to prevent “time theft” and boost productivity. Slogans like “Nearly half of US employees admit to time theft!” and “Biometric readers for enhanced accuracy!” frame workers as liabilities, suggesting that without strict oversight, they cannot be trusted to perform their jobs.

With major corporations like JP Morgan Chase, Amazon, and WPP enforcing return-to-office policies, surveillance is gaining momentum. Even federal agencies have followed suit, requiring employees to return to in-person work. But why, after years of proving that remote work is efficient, are companies insisting on bringing employees back?

Why Are Companies Pushing for a Return to the Office?

Instagram | bersincompany | Josh Bersin identifies economic pressures and AI-driven job changes as the core reasons behind the evolving work landscape.

Industry expert Josh Bersin believes two main factors are driving this shift. First, the economy is slowing down, causing businesses to focus more on productivity and efficiency. Second, artificial intelligence is reshaping the workforce, with many companies expecting AI to replace certain roles. As organizations restructure, they want clearer insights into how their employees are working.

Tracking employees remotely is challenging, and many executives feel they need physical presence to enforce discipline and measure productivity. The return-to-office movement isn’t just about collaboration—it’s about control.

The Evolution of Workplace Tracking

Workplace surveillance has come a long way from traditional timecards and security cameras. Today, employees are monitored through GPS-based clock-ins, QR code check-ins, Apple Watch badges, and biometric scanners that track facial recognition, fingerprints, and even eye movements.

These systems were initially used to prevent hourly workers from “buddy punching,” where one employee clocks in for another. However, with more companies mandating in-office work, salaried employees are now subject to similar levels of surveillance. Employers claim these tools prevent inefficiency, but in reality, they blur the line between workplace security and invasive tracking.

One of the most advanced systems in use today is HID’s OmniKey platform, which tracks far more than just entry and exit times. It logs parking lot access, meeting room attendance, cafeteria purchases, and even vending machine usage. With such technology, companies have unprecedented insight into employees’ daily routines, raising concerns about privacy and autonomy in the workplace.

The Hidden Surveillance Inside Office Spaces

While some workplace monitoring systems are visible, others operate discreetly. Many employees aren’t even aware they are being tracked. A report by Cracked Labs, a research group specializing in digital privacy, revealed how modern office buildings use Wi-Fi signals, Bluetooth beacons, and motion sensors to monitor employees’ locations in real time.

There are two primary types of tracking:

1. Desk and Room Occupancy Monitoring – Sensors detect which desks and meeting rooms are being used, capturing environmental factors like temperature and lighting.

2. Movement and Behavior Tracking – Companies track employees’ movements throughout the office using network data, even analyzing how long they stay in specific areas.

One example is Spacewell, a platform that uses under-desk motion detectors to log employee presence. Another is Locatee, which continuously gathers data from Wi-Fi networks and badge scans to track desk usage, office attendance, and time spent on different floors.

Although these systems claim to anonymize data, reports suggest they still allow companies to segment employee behavior into detailed patterns, creating individualized digital footprints.

The Growing Market for Employee Surveillance

The workplace surveillance industry is expanding at a rapid pace. According to S&S Insider, the connected office market was valued at $43 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $122.5 billion by 2032. Meanwhile, IndustryARC estimates that the employee monitoring market in North America will hit $4.5 billion by 2026.

Despite this growth, concerns over privacy, ethical boundaries, and legal gray areas remain. Some companies claim that monitoring technology enhances workplace efficiency, but critics argue it creates a culture of distrust and anxiety.

Big Tech’s Role in Workplace Monitoring

Tech giants are leading the charge in workplace surveillance. Cisco’s Spaces platform is one of the most comprehensive tracking systems available. It has digitized over 11 billion square feet of office space and collects 24.7 trillion data points annually on employee movement. This platform is used by businesses, hospitals, and even government institutions.

Another major player is Juniper’s Mist, a system that tracks employees using Wi-Fi signals and Bluetooth tags. It can log when workers enter and leave the office, how long they spend in different locations, and even how frequently they visit the break room.

Although these technologies are marketed as tools for improving workplace efficiency, many fear they prioritize surveillance over employee well-being.

Privacy Concerns and Employee Pushback

Freepik | Majority of US employees dislike AI monitoring, but it’s becoming more common.

The expansion of workplace surveillance has sparked debates about privacy rights and ethical workplace practices. Critics argue that excessive monitoring:

1. Increases workplace stress and anxiety.
2. Creates a culture of distrust.
3. Allows companies to misuse tracking data for disciplinary actions.

A 2023 Pew Research study found that 56% of US employees oppose AI-driven attendance tracking, and 61% reject movement monitoring in the workplace. However, despite employee resistance, the demand for tracking solutions continues to grow.

Government Surveillance – A New Frontier?

Workplace monitoring isn’t just limited to corporations—government agencies are also increasing their surveillance efforts. Employees at 13 federal agencies have reported the introduction of new monitoring tools, including AI-driven chat analysis, keyloggers, and video call transcription software.

Some government workers describe these measures as “Orwellian”, expressing concerns about politically motivated tracking and potential misuse of employee data. The fear of constant surveillance has led some to self-censor their workplace communications, worried that even casual conversations could be misinterpreted.

What Can Employees Do?

Unlike Europe, where strict privacy laws protect workers, the US has fewer legal safeguards against workplace surveillance. However, some states offer protections:

1. New York and Illinois have laws limiting biometric tracking.
2. California’s Consumer Privacy Act grants workers more control over their data.

Beyond legal protections, employee activism, media coverage, and union organizing have successfully pushed back against extreme monitoring in some cases.

The Future of Workplace Surveillance

As companies continue investing in surveillance technology, the debate over privacy versus productivity will intensify. Some argue that excessive monitoring reduces morale and increases employee turnover, making workplaces less productive in the long run.

Instead of relying on invasive tracking, businesses could benefit from building trust, offering flexible work policies, and prioritizing transparency. At its core, the question isn’t just whether companies can monitor employees—it’s whether they should.