Get across it: the rise of bossware and employee monitoring

Employee monitoring software is becoming increasingly popular. But research shows that keeping such a close eye on employees can reduce rather than boost engagement, productivity, and worker retention.

What is bossware?

Bossware is a catch-all term for employee monitoring software.

This software is designed to measure an employee’s productivity during a workday by tracking some or all of the following:

• Mouse movements;
• Keystrokes;
• Internet browsing history;
• Visibility of employee through the webcam;
• Call logs;
• Emails and messages;
• Geographic location;
• Log in and log out time.

Bossware can be used to identify employees who are not clocking in for their assigned hours, are working other jobs or pursuing personal interests while on shift, or are failing to meet requirements.

Who is using bossware?

Since the rise of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, bossware has become more popular and widespread.

As of 2020, almost 60% of Australian small-to-medium businesses used employee monitoring software of some kind. That percentage is continuing to rise across most major industries.

Is bossware legal?

Workplace surveillance laws change between jurisdictions. In Australia at the time of writing, the ACT, NSW, and Victoria have specifically regulated workplace surveillance. Queensland is in the process of designing legislative reforms.

If employees use devices or hardware supplied by the , then it’s likely legal to use monitoring software on those devices in Australia, during the times in which work is being performed. However, employers must (in most jurisdictions) inform staff members of the surveillance.

The situation relating to bring your own device (BYOD) equipment and a workplace that is also a private residence is less clear. The Australian federal Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 or Privacy Act (currently under review) may offer some protection.

As this kind of software becomes commonplace, legislation and worker’s rights watchdogs are likely to catch up. It may be necessary to schedule a regular review of surveillance practices.

Are businesses benefiting from bossware?

There have been several cases of low-productivity employees being picked up by monitoring software, such as workers who have done very little to no work, or have been absent for their rostered hours.

However, bossware also has a significant effect on the rest of the workforce. Employees subject to monitoring feel they are not trusted by management. This results in lower job satisfaction, lower engagement, and higher attrition. Further, studies demonstrate that surveilled employees are actually more likely to break rules.

Bossware programs also aren’t always accurate. The internet is full of tips for tricking software into thinking someone is working when they aren’t. Products such as mouse-jiggling devices that are affordable and easy to use without being detected have been widely adopted.

What could I do instead of getting bossware?

Good management isn’t monitoring employees as closely as possible, it’s getting the most out of employees, and supporting them to succeed.

Logging keystrokes and mouse clicks is not the same as genuinely measuring productivity.

Managers must understand and communicate their goals for their teams, and what they consider to be sufficient quality and quantity output. Determine what productivity looks like for your team and clearly communicate those expectations across the team. 

Go Deeper

• Elliott, B. (2024). Return-to-Office Mandates: How to Lose Your Best Performers - Your organization’s highest-performing employees want executives to focus on outcomes and accountability, not office badge swipes. MIT Sloan Management Review. Link
• Hammond, A. (2020). 59% Of Aussie SME Business Leaders use Employee Monitoring Software. Link
• Miller, K. (2023). Are you being watched while working? What hybrid workers need to know: Companies may be monitoring their employees working remotely, raising questions about the ethics and legality of surveillance. UNSW NewsRoom. Link
• Negron, W. (2021). Little Tech Is Coming for Workers: A Framework for Reclaiming and Building Worker Power. Link
• Purtill, J. (2022). Employee monitoring software became the new normal during COVID-19. It seems workers are stuck with it. ABC News. Link
• Sibthorpe, C. (2023). Woman sacked for not typing enough hosted TikTok lives while working from home.com.au. Link
• Thiel, C., Bonner, J., Bush, J., Welsh, D., & Garud, N. (2022). Monitoring employees makes them more likely to break rules. Harvard Business Review. Link

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