Since the outbreak of Covid in Ireland in January 2020, hybrid work has become the norm for most office workers – the majority of whom spend their working week from home. However, returns to the office have introduced a new norm – being watched in the office.  

Studies show that employers and employees have very different views about their productivity levels in a hybrid work environment, and tech companies are worried about it.  

Microsoft workplace survey (2022) said the majority of employees (87%) reported that they are productive at work.  At the same time, 85% of leaders say that the shift to hybrid work has made it challenging to have confidence that employees are being productive. 

Tech giants TikTok, Google and Facebook are leading the charge in bringing employees back to the office.  

However, this return to in-person work is accompanied by a growing concern – the use of employee surveillance tools, which privacy advocates and workers are raising eyebrows over. 

Office perks and incentives such as coffee docks, nap rooms and massage chairs it seems are no longer enough to entice employees into the office, instead, they’re now being watched. 

TikTok’s watching means by MyRTO, a surveillance tool that collects data on employees’ computer activities and office visits in the United States, has led to heated debates within the company about the fine line between productivity enhancement and intrusive surveillance.  

The tracker app was introduced into TikTok’s Dublin office two weeks ago and is following the office attendance of all employees through a swipe card system.  

One Dublin-based TikTok employee said while the tools are in place, not everyone at the office is following the new regime.  

“The department that works beside me is just not coming in anymore. The team is made up of people from all over the country, and driving up and down every day or even week is just getting too much for them.” 

Employees at the tech giant are also frustrated at the lack of in-person work that’s completed when in the office, as the majority of meetings and discussions are done online despite office attendance. 

“I know some people are fed up and refusing to come in because even when they do, most of their calls and meetings are done on Zoom with our international offices, so there’s really no point,” said the employee.  

In comparison to surveillance levels in the United States, EU laws on data privacy are quite stringent – there are limits to what tech companies can track at the minute.  

Dublin’s TikTok office is currently watching when employees enter the building to ensure their attendance on ‘office days’. 

In the US, MyRTO is collecting data on employees’ computer activities, tracking their movements within the office, and even analysing their interactions with colleagues.  

Privacy advocates and workers’ rights groups are pushing back against this increased surveillance trend. They argue thatwhile the return to the office may be necessary for some task, employers must respect the boundaries of privacy.  

In a statement released earlier this month, Sarah Johnson, a spokesperson for the Digital Privacy Alliance (DPA),  said :“Wwe understand the need for employers to ensure productivity and security, but employees’ rights to privacy must not be compromised. We need clear and transparent guidelines on how surveillance tools are used and the data collected.” 

In response to the concerns, tech companies are starting to address the issue. TikTok has announced plans to establish clear guidelines on the use of MyRTO with a focus on data protection and employee privacy.  

The rise of surveillance technologies raises questions about the future of office work and the balance between efficiency and individual liberties. 

“I imagine our attendance will be noted in performance reviews but I don’t think people will make more of an effort to come to work. The WFH culture has proved sufficient since the pandemic and for a lot of people, time saved commuting means more time for family or other important personal endevours.” the TikTok employee added.  

Globally, the hybrid work lifestyle is becoming more common emerging and many European countries have introduced a flexible lifestyle.  

In the Netherlands, workers can legally request flexible working and the UK is set to introduce the same law by the end of 2024.  

In Ireland, the Work Life and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 successfully completed its passage through the Oireachtas on 29 of March, and it was signed into law on the 4th of April.  There are still some steps to be taken before it comes into effect, but it will allow employees with more than six months of service to request remote working.