Article: The Quantified Workplace: Big Data or Big Brother
Tweetlink: http://t.co/BeWJod5cif
Author: @BernardMarr @Forbes
Tweet posted on: 11-5-2015
Basically, the Quantified Workplace (QWP) is the application of currently existing technologies coupled with the contemporary needs of employers and employees to keep the momentum going and make progress. A recent Forbes article, written by @BernardMarr, makes clear that ‘People Analytics’ is becoming more and more important in HR circles and in the workplace.
“Most things we do in a typical workday already generate a lot of data: we send and receive emails, we make phone calls or we operate equipment. But soon, there will be so many new data sources and so many new ways of cutting that data — using cameras, sensors or crowd sourcing data to measure every aspect of someone’s performanceâ€
In a world where digitization is continuing apace there are widespread opportunities for organizations to monitor their employees. For example, take this badge from
Sociometric Solutions that can tell you where employees are, who they are talking to and how they are communicating (tone of voice). From an organizational perspective, these can be very valuable insights that can lead to disruptive interventions for increasing collaboration or, as in the case of Bank of America, increase productivity by 23% by introducing 'group break policies' to encourage interaction between co-workers.
“So far, employers can’t access an individual employee’s health records, but those days may not be far off, when a boss might take you aside to discuss your stress levels or the long hours you’ve been putting in at your desk.â€
All very interesting and innovative, but what effect will all these capabilities have on dynamics in the workplace and the relationship between employer and employee, and how far may the employer go in monitoring productivity? Read more about the ethical side of ‘wearables in the workplace’ in the QWP
positioning paper and follow us on Twitter and at quantifiedworkplace.eu.
