2023 DSE Q4 (Debating)

The following topic was discussed at a debate workshop:

Some employers use cameras and computer software to monitor what employees are doing in the workplace. How do
you think this affects productivity and job satisfaction?

Write an essay about the pros and cons of monitoring employees in the workplace.

Monitoring employees – Is it beneficial to us?

[1] Living in the era of technology, everything seems to be involved and connected with the Internet. Phones,
computers or even smart watches are at our fingertips, monitoring us for our every movement. Yet, it feels very different
to be watched by our employers since they are the ones who have the power to command us. While some argue that it
is detrimental to our productivity and job satisfaction, the others have the opposite views. How is it good or bad to be
monitored?

[2] Nowadays, cameras and computer software are installed for increasing our productivity. It is totally natural for us
to pay our biggest efforts when we are under appraisal. The pressure of being supervised causes us to be more hard-
working than usual. Consequently, the productivity of the employees can be raised. Living in a world where time is more
precious than gold, high productivity is fundamental to a praiseworthy result. In many modern offices, cameras are
installed not only for the boss to monitor his workers, but also for creating a sense of pressure. Every time an employee
wants to get rid of his work and takes a nap, he will be automatically reminded by himself for the presence of these
‘hawk-eyes’. This allows them to focus better on works, leading to a surge in quality. Moreover, having computer software
to block entertaining sites also have the same effects. As such, it is undeniable that having a suitable degree of
supervision allows workers to concentrate better.

[3] Apart from the productivity, it is also helpful for us to be satisfied with our jobs. Workers in the tertiary industry
often have to face customers. It is inevitable to have conflicts or quarrels when the buyers’ option is against the rules of
the shop. Having cameras allows the waiters or waitresses to strike for justice in certain situations. For instance, a
customer of the famous SaSa shop once accused of the employee that she treated her rudely and even gave a punch in
the face. This had raised a heated debate on the Internet, with most people attacking the innocent shopkeeper. However,
the clips of the security camera were then uploaded and proven that it was the problematic behaviour who punched
people and made up all the troubles. Obviously, without the well-hidden lens, the truth would be buried forever with
the worker being tired of this unpleasant job. For this reason, hardly can these illegal complaints prevail if such appliances
are installed, ensuring the staff to have a satisfying working experience.

[4] However, every coin has its two sides. The downsides of this measure are not negligible. In terms of productivity,
it is not always the case that positive impacts could be brought to the employees’ performances. Taking the famous
Microsoft company as an example, their works require high degree of creativity. Some of them even have designated
gaming time to alleviate their boredom. Given the specialness of such careers, it is considerable that monitoring them
would only add fuel to the hurdles they already face. According to Dr. Deenuts, a psychologist of the University of Hong
Kong, we would more or less pay attention to these ‘unfriendly sights’ behind us. For jobs that require a crystal-clear
mind, such cameras and the feeling of being watched are more like a distraction rather than a traction. This only does
more harm than good and stifles their creativity and productivity.

[5] One may argue that having some monitoring tools in the workplace in beneficial to both the employers and the
employees since this enhances the boss’s understanding to their workers, allowing better communication and thus
promote job satisfaction. Despite being theoretically correct, it is not always true for different kinds of industries or even
different personalities. Some people may really find the harsh feeling of being surveiling uncomfortable, leading to the
accumulation of negative emotions. How can we devote all our efforts to our careers when we hate the stressful
environment of the workplace? Worse still, privacy is of paramount importance nowadays. Many workers consider the
policy of monitoring employees as an act of depriving of their human rights. Protests on this issue have occurred
throughout the world, being the commonest in Western countries. All these factors have contributed to the job
dissatisfactions.

[6] With all things considered, monitoring employees have its pros and cons for sure. Its effects on productivity and
job satisfaction greatly depend on the type of job and our own preferences. With the accelerating technology, such
office policy would only become more ubiquitous in the future. To remain competitive in society, we must adapt to this
change or else we will only be phrased out.