The adoption of remote working comes with its own benefits, especially the home office, no tedious commutes, and even controlling how we spend our hours. I, for one, have enjoyed this change of pace. However, the term “bossware” has come up, and if you haven’t heard about it before, then you should be. It can greatly deteriorate your work-from-anywhere resourcefulness.
What Exactly Does Bossware Mean?
What is bossware? The whole construct itself shows flexibility, target productivity, and overall effectiveness. From basic time monitoring tools to advanced AI-powered programs that scrutinize your every online move, there’s something for everyone. Some programs even compile productivity reports for managers, noting perceived low productivity or long periods of inactivity. Picture this: you have to use software that automatically monitors your computer activity. This tool has access to track your actions remotely, raising remote work surveillance concerns for many employees. There are many options to choose from, and checking industry guides to learn more is certainly worth your time.
I’ve talked to friends who were issued such software by their employers, and their stories are quite alarming. One of the friends I spoke to talked about how they are under constant stress of having to take breaks, no matter how short, as it would show up on an activity report. That kind of pressure or expectation can create some disturbing consequences like stress and anxiety, which are certainly not good for mental health. It makes you wonder if there’s a better way, perhaps using privacy-friendly tracking tools, Controlio software, or a similar tool designed with employee well-being in mind.
The Risks of Bossware
What are the issues with bossware? There are serious concerns that these tools could pose to employees work and productivity.
• Privacy Issues: Yes, working from home does blur the boundaries between your personal life and work life. A program handwaving as “bossware” could pass the boundaries of privacy by tracking your every move. Programs that scan your computer, log your pre-typed words, and even have access to your webcam are intrusive.
• Loss of trust: There’s another sensitive issue. One key benefit of remote work is the mutual trust placed between contractor and employee. Trust gets broken through constant watchfulness by an employer. Participants in remote working tend to feel that instead of focusing on adding value to the work, they strive to appear busy throughout the day. This pushes them towards presenteeism instead of productivity, a phenomenon sometimes seen in Finnish work culture. It makes you wonder if there are recommended monitoring solutions that prioritize trust and genuine productivity over simply tracking activity.
• Impact on mental health: It is significant for a workplace culture that aims towards the well-being of the employees. Thinking you might be labeled as “unproductive” for simply taking a necessary break creates undue tension. Feeling constantly observed is simply exhausting.
Dealing With Bossware At Work
What actions can you take when your company implements bossware? Instead of panicking, you can take the following proactive measures:
• Familiarize Yourself With the Policy: First things first, read through the policy. Make sure to understand what information your employer is capturing and how it gets utilized. Even if it is uncomfortable to learn, being acquainted with the data is important.
• Have Discussions: Talk to your manager about your concerns. Privacy should be respected, and if you feel that your privacy is hindered, feel free to voice your opinion. Clarify how the software has impacted your general work experience and try to offer other ways to show productivity.
• Work Efficiently: This doesn’t mean sitting glued to the computer screen; rather, it means putting more thought into the results you need to deliver. It instead focuses on effective time management, delivering positive results combined with strategic breaks. In many cases, working harder is not the solution; rather, working smarter gets the job done.
The Shift Towards Remote Work
Bossware can dampen the great perks associated with remote work. Even in such cases, you need to define boundaries to safeguard your privacy and well-being in such an environment to remain functional. Remote work erosion is the result of this lack of balance between workplace supervision and employee autonomy. What are your thoughts regarding bossware? Do you have any personal experiences with it? Let your voice be heard in the comments section!
