“Quiet vacation” over the Fourth of July weekend. It’s not just you; no one’s getting work done the week of Independence Day. Instead, nearly half of workers are playing hooky without telling their managers, aka “quiet vacationing.”
WFH: Spy software may be watching and tracking you
So, the coronavirus outbreak has you working from home in an effort to help flatten the curve. You’re trying to focus on the job at hand, but there’s so much craziness in the world that you just want to get away for a while and check on your family and friends.
While that might be a nice mental break, it’s not exactly what’s best for business. Whether you’re in the office or at home, you should be focused on work while you’re on the clock. Tap or click for 7 productivity tools to improve work performance.
Managers and company owners know how easy it is for workers to become distracted, and many are taking drastic actions to keep their teams on task. Feel like someone is watching you? They might be.
Is your boss watching you?
Instead of relying on workers emailing status updates, some companies are going to the next level when it comes to keeping tabs on employees. Some are actually installing spying software on their employees’ computers that capture every keystroke and log every website they visit.
This isn’t necessarily a new practice, either. Companies have been tracking workers in the office for years, but now this technology is making its way to employees working from home, too. Tap or click here to find out how your employer sees everything you do on your device.
Axos Financial Inc. CEO Gregory Garrabrants admitted his company was doing this. “We have seen individuals taking unfair advantage of flexible work arrangements,” he told Bloomberg News. “If daily tasks aren’t completed, workers will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.”
Axos isn’t the only company using this type of software while employees are working from home during the COVID-19 lockdown. Surveillance software is being used by more and more companies across the U.S. In fact, spying software manufacturers say sales have nearly tripled in recent weeks.
RELATED: The coronavirus danger no one is talking about – widespread cyberattacks
Is this legal?
Wait, it’s illegal for your company to spy on you, right? Actually, no. As long as your company discloses it’s using spying software to you upfront, it’s perfectly legal. Your company may even be doing this if you’re working in the office.
Plus, it’s not just a matter of spying on workers. Some companies are justifying the use of spying software in the name of security.
Working from home? 8 tips for managing remote employees
The coronavirus pandemic has turned the world upside down. Millions of people are trying to help flatten the curve by practicing social distancing, among other things.
While this is a great way to help slow the spread of the virus, it’s taking a huge toll on the economy. Companies have seen a sharp decline in business and some have even had to close their doors. Others have been asking employees to work from home (WFH).
41% of managers want to replace employees with AI this year
Another 45% see AI as an opportunity to lower the salaries of employees on their payroll. I think AI has huge potential to optimize our work … but yet again, greedy humans are ruining it for the rest of us. Pretty bleak.