• VerseAndVermin@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    78
    ·
    10 months ago

    If I understand right, it is tracking work software. So work PCs. I had already assumed anything in a work setting can be used against me. It doesn’t make it right, but this won’t change my behavior. I already assume corpo-degeneracy is afoot anytime I touch work-tech.

    • postnataldrip@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      13
      ·
      10 months ago

      You’re spot on, however the pervasiveness of this kind of data collection and analysis seems to have really picked up in recent years.

      In my workplace a similar tool was put in place to keep an eye out for potential fraud, sensitive data being shared, that kind of thing, but at least one exec very quickly started asking questions about “enhancing” it, laughingly suggesting it could help identify flight risks in areas they’re looking to cut headcount in, so they could “remove barriers to their exit” rather than having to pay severance. (To quote the great philosopher Nelly, “I’m just kidding like Jason… unless you’re gonna do it”)

      Don’t forget too that this is just monitoring chats, there are plenty of other sources of data that could be used against you if so desired.

      IMHO the issue isn’t so much that people are using work-controlled platforms to say things that workplace doesn’t like (though that is an issue), it’s more the shift in the employer mindset that tools like this enable, and the huge imbalance it can create when it comes to salary negotiations, constructive dismissal, mass layoffs, union busting, etc.

      • VerseAndVermin@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        6
        ·
        10 months ago

        A lot of great points. I suspect metrics on people’s work will only get worse. Like you said, it will justify some awful behavior. Imagine a dummy having access to it as well. Like Musk firing people based off how many lines of code.

      • GBU_28@lemm.ee
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        arrow-down
        6
        ·
        10 months ago

        Not sure why it’s an issue. The employer owns the software/service/platform. You agree to abide by their rules while in a relationship with them.

    • GuerillaGorillas@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      10
      ·
      10 months ago

      At least in the case of Walmart it’s more that the “work PCs” are many people’s personal phones. They’ve pushed employees to install work software with very invasive privacy permissions in lieu of providing dedicated handheld devices, you may notice this if you’re buying something age-restricted at self checkout and the clerk scans a QR code instead of entering an id on the terminal.

      • VerseAndVermin@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        12
        ·
        10 months ago

        What the heck. How are they at that point not paying for the phone. Nope nope nope.

        A lot of people seem to feel entitled to space on others phones. I guess businesses included.

      • 13617@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        4
        ·
        10 months ago

        No they provide phones for the employees, at least in my area.I think it’s up to choice, and the fact that the employees don’t know.

    • VelvetStorm@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      9
      ·
      10 months ago

      My work is offering free shoes to employees that walk a lot on job sites. I won’t be wearing them until I’ve gone over them as I would not put it past my company to put trackers in them so they can track us on our patrols more.

    • BrianTheeBiscuiteer@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      7
      ·
      10 months ago

      There’s a difference to me between recording and monitoring. I expect nearly everything I do is recorded and I don’t mind that so much. An AI system that’s scrutinizing every keystroke and click for some violation or inefficiency is just offensive as an adult and as a professional. Profit comes before people, every time.

      • VerseAndVermin@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        6
        ·
        10 months ago

        The software has determined every key stroke with your thumb has a measurable deficiency. Employee #5317, would you verbally agree to a thumb lengthening. We believe this would improve performance by 0.012%.

  • linearchaos@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    8
    ·
    10 months ago

    Yuck. I had always envisioned Gattaca to be how we slipped into 1984. I did have screenshotting workstations and having ai make constant reports on users on my bingo cards.