With some workplaces looking to microchip their employees, one Australian academic discusses the psychological ramifications
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Microchipping employees for greater work performance would be the ultimate micromanagement, according to Dr Lindsay McMillan, lead researcher and campaign director of a future that works at HR think-tank Reventure.
Indeed, microchips are a part of a global trend; earlier this year Swedish company Epicenter announced plans to implant 150 workers with microchips to monitor work hours.
“Microchip implants are used to replace swipe cards or keys, but having one for work means your employer could have a digital record of all your movements,” said Dr McMillan.
“It is vitally important that workers don’t feel pressured to adopt drastic and invasive measures such as microchipping.”
Moreover, an international PwC survey of 10,000 respondents has found 70% of people would consider treatments to enhance their brains or bodies, all in the pursuit of greater work performance.
Dr McMillan added that their research indicates that workers are already feeling technology-related stress and strategies should be developed in the workplace to combat this, not exacerbate it.
“54 per cent of millennials say they are experiencing technology-related stress; workers are unable to switch off because they think being “on call” is what makes them valuable,” he said.
Moreover, a 2016 study of over 1,000 Australian workers found 46% already feel technology makes them feel “always on” and unable to completely shut-off from work.
Despite this, one expert from PwC said microchips and implants that improve work efficiency could be much more acceptable practice in ten or fifteen years.
Dr McMillan said implanted technology would be much more intrusive to the private lives of employees and warned against unhealthy workplace practices.
“Work-life balance is vitally important and all Australians should get a chance to be completely away from work,” he said.
“We need to address this with a concerted response from employers and industry to change the culture - or it will only get worse.”
Related stories:
How to resolve conflicts in a ‘toxic’ workplace
Does micromanaging constitute 'bullying'?
Low employee morale linked to lack of communication
Indeed, microchips are a part of a global trend; earlier this year Swedish company Epicenter announced plans to implant 150 workers with microchips to monitor work hours.
“Microchip implants are used to replace swipe cards or keys, but having one for work means your employer could have a digital record of all your movements,” said Dr McMillan.
“It is vitally important that workers don’t feel pressured to adopt drastic and invasive measures such as microchipping.”
Moreover, an international PwC survey of 10,000 respondents has found 70% of people would consider treatments to enhance their brains or bodies, all in the pursuit of greater work performance.
Dr McMillan added that their research indicates that workers are already feeling technology-related stress and strategies should be developed in the workplace to combat this, not exacerbate it.
“54 per cent of millennials say they are experiencing technology-related stress; workers are unable to switch off because they think being “on call” is what makes them valuable,” he said.
Moreover, a 2016 study of over 1,000 Australian workers found 46% already feel technology makes them feel “always on” and unable to completely shut-off from work.
Despite this, one expert from PwC said microchips and implants that improve work efficiency could be much more acceptable practice in ten or fifteen years.
Dr McMillan said implanted technology would be much more intrusive to the private lives of employees and warned against unhealthy workplace practices.
“Work-life balance is vitally important and all Australians should get a chance to be completely away from work,” he said.
“We need to address this with a concerted response from employers and industry to change the culture - or it will only get worse.”
Related stories:
How to resolve conflicts in a ‘toxic’ workplace
Does micromanaging constitute 'bullying'?
Low employee morale linked to lack of communication