: A lot of companies are turning to employee monitoring tools to make sure workers aren't slacking off

The COVID-19 lockdown meant a surge in remote work, and the trend toward remote and hybrid workplaces has persisted long after the pandemic receded. That has changed the nature of workplace management as well. Bosses can’t check for butts in seats or look over their employees’ shoulders in the office to make sure they’re working instead of having a LAN party. So they’ve turned to software tools to fill the gap.

So-called “bossware” lets managers keep a close eye on employees’ activity, tracking everything from knowledge workers’ website visits to the gait and facial expressions of those involved in more physical activities.

  • xxce2AAb@feddit.dkEnglish
    41·
    8 hours ago

    Ah, the many joys of Middle Management. To quote The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Earth:

    A middle manager’s day typically consists of:

    • Attending meetings they don’t understand about projects they’re not involved in
    • Scheduling meetings for other people who don’t want to attend them
    • Asking for status updates on things that would be finished already if they’d stop asking for status updates
    • Forwarding motivational quotes about “synergy” and “thinking outside the box” while sitting firmly inside a cubicle
    • Explaining to their superiors why things went wrong and to their subordinates why things can’t be fixed