Managers misuse tech to control workers

Many companies have a statement buried in their Annual Reports stating their vision that employees are their most valuable asset.

However, it is always interesting or better, sad, to reflect those statements with what is actually happening. A new survey has come out with the findings that "managers are using technologies such as e-mail, mobile phones, and SMS (Short Messaging Service) to keep tabs on employees when in actuality they are reducing workers' productivity and the amount of time that they spend serving customers."

And it might get worse with time to come and technology to improve.

This is a shift of power in the mindset of employers or their managers. In a time when more and more workers become more and more mobile and knowledge savvy - spend less time visible in the office - managers might feel that their sphere of control is changed - and many will view their power as diminished. When they try to reestablish control by using technology to track their employees, something is badly wrong with the organisation. May be the old saying is still valid - employees join organisations but leave managers.

(By Asia Business Consulting)