Remote work | Will spying on employees be illegal in 2021?

With New Year approaching, it’s looking more and more likely that employees will continue to work from home as the coronavirus crisis remains. While some employers will have got to grips with this new way of working, others will be keen to return to the physical workplace to ensure productivity levels are met.

This is certainly reflected in the large numbers of reports that suggest employee surveillance has increased. According to research from the Trades Union Congress (TUC), one in seven employees have stated that ‘intrusive tech’ has increased at work since the crisis begun.

Meanwhile, other businesses have launched software that can gauge how fast employees complete tasks, while also providing them with a ‘productivity score’. But with remote working looking set to remain in place to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, will it be legal for employers to implement such technology to keep an eye on staff in 2021?

Legalities of spyware