Electronic Performance Monitoring (EPM) is a rising trend, especially in our current remote work environment. But what is EPM? In essence, it's the use of technology to observe, record, and analyze data related to an employee's job performance. Real-life examples abound: nurses being monitored via GPS, manufacturing employees wearing RFID technologies to measure productivity, police officers recording their interactions with civilians using body cameras, and even Walmart's patented audio surveillance technology that tracks employee interactions as customers check out.

A comprehensive meta-analysis by Ravid, D. M., White, J. C., Tomczak, D. L., Miles A. F., & Behrend T. S. in 2022 provided some deep insights into EPM's effects on workers. Drawing from 94 independent samples (a total of 23,461 participants), the research revealed:

- Surprisingly, there's no evidence that EPM boosts worker performance.

- EPM is associated with increased stress and strain on employees, regardless of the monitoring style.

- However, organizations that implement EPM transparently and non-invasively can expect more positive feedback from their staff.

In conclusion, while technological advancements facilitate various methods of employee monitoring, it's crucial for organizations to reassess these practices. Not only do they lack clear evidence of improving performance, but they also negatively impact employee well-being. It might be time for businesses to rethink the true cost of EPM.

#informedecisions #employeeexperience