The office is calling employees back, and it is not just managers waiting for them. Surveillance tech is, too. From keystroke tracking to RFID badges, companies are ramping up monitoring efforts as return-to-office (RTO) mandates take hold.
After years of remote work proving its effectiveness, why the sudden push to bring everyone back under one roof? More importantly, what kind of workplace are employees walking into?
The Return-to-Office Boom
Big names like Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, and WPP have tightened their in-office policies, requiring employees to show up in person. Even government agencies are cracking down. In late January, President Trump ordered federal agencies to shut down remote work and require full-time in-person attendance.
Notice, this shift comes after years of companies embracing hybrid models.
Eca / After 5 years of the coronavirus pandemic, American tech giants are calling their employees back in office, shutting down WFH.
Industry experts suggest two main reasons for this shift. First, as the economy slows, companies focus more on productivity. Second, the rise of artificial intelligence is pushing businesses to rethink resources and workforce efficiency. Leaders worry about measuring productivity in remote setups and believe in-person work gives them better oversight.
Surveillance at Every Step
Employees returning to their desks might find more than just a company ID waiting for them. Workplace monitoring tools have advanced far beyond simple security cameras. Today, offices use RFID badges, biometric scanners, GPS tracking apps, and even AI-driven productivity software.
Many firms have embraced tools like HID’s OmniKey, which tracks movement across office spaces, from turnstile entries to vending machine purchases. Other systems, like Spacewell’s motion sensors, collect data on desk usage, meeting room occupancy, and environmental factors like temperature and humidity.
Some companies, including PwC, openly tell employees that their location will be tracked to enforce attendance policies.
The Office is Back & So is ‘Big Brother’
For years, blue-collar industries have used monitoring tools to track shifts and prevent time theft. Now, these technologies are creeping into white-collar workspaces, blurring the line between security and surveillance. Approximately 70-80% of large U.S. employers use some form of employee monitoring.
GTN / While these tools help manage office resources, they also collect massive amounts of behavioral data of their employees.
Take Cisco’s Spaces platform, which turns Wi-Fi and Bluetooth tracking into a real-time employee surveillance tool. This system provides historical data on how long workers spend in meetings, when they enter and exit offices, and how they navigate workplace spaces.
Other systems, like Juniper’s Mist, track employee movements down to specific office zones, including break rooms.
Privacy Concerns and Employee Trust
The rise of workplace surveillance sparks serious privacy concerns. Employees may feel watched at all times, creating stress and discomfort. Many workers worry that their data could be used against them, especially in performance reviews or disciplinary actions.
Researchers warn that indoor location tracking and behavioral monitoring could easily shift from practical applications to invasive oversight. The use of Wi-Fi networks and motion sensors means companies collect far more data than employees realize. Without strict safeguards, this information could be misused, leading to workplace micromanagement or unfair treatment.
Bear in mind that the workplace is changing, and so is the way companies track employee activity. The connected office market, valued at $43 billion in 2023, is projected to grow to $122.5 billion by 2032. With this expansion comes an increasing reliance on surveillance tools to manage office spaces and workforce efficiency.
