A recent study conducted by ExpressVPN has unveiled that a staggering 85% of employers utilize employee monitoring software to track online activity. The research, spanning all types of workers including remote employees, highlights a growing trend in monitoring emails, websites, keystrokes, and even real-time screen monitoring. Despite employers believing that such surveillance fosters trust, morale, and productivity, the study reveals that nearly half of the workers feel stressed and pressured, often resorting to tactics to fake productivity.

The prevalence of employee monitoring software has raised ethical concerns among workers, with 42% considering it unethical and over half ready to quit if subjected to online monitoring. However, a significant majority of employers (83%) enforce monitoring without providing an opt-out option for employees. The disparity in perceptions is evident, as while 70% of employers view monitoring positively, 46% of workers report feeling stressed and anxious due to it. Additionally, feelings of distrust, pressure to work quickly rather than thoughtfully, and the expectation to work longer hours have emerged, questioning the efficacy of monitoring tools in evaluating productivity versus working hours.

Workers are resorting to various methods to outsmart monitoring systems, such as scheduling delayed emails and utilizing mobile communication apps discreetly. Beyond productivity concerns, 38% of employers use monitoring data for performance evaluations, leading to warnings for 30% of employees and pay cuts or suspensions for 17% due to misconduct. Looking ahead, there is a growing demand for stronger government regulations to safeguard privacy in the workplace, reflecting a fundamental need for accountability and respect amidst evolving monitoring practices.