Remote-work-trust-and-surveillance-in-times-of-pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic crisis is affecting our ways of living, travelling, and working. In conditions of lockdown and gradual reopening of businesses, companies around the world had to rapidly deploy large-scale remote work solutions wherever possible and even where it was previously thought to be unfeasible. Leaders’ vision and ability to anticipate the future are brutally challenged by the volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) that have suddenly become a harsher reality than ever. In this VUCA world and the unprecedented rise of teleworking that is here to stay, there are signs that a number of employers resort to enhanced digital surveillance, arguably to prevent employees from slacking and to improve productivity. But are leaders at risk of jeopardizing their mission and purpose by micromanaging employees? What are the potential consequences and how can these be addressed?