It’s not management that is subjected to these types of technologies. As all of these cases illustrate, it is typically hourly paid employees, often in sectors such as hospitality, manufacturing, or other service sectors. In other words – people with less power.
This isn’t surprising given that the aim of most of these data collection systems is to exert control. This holds true not only for systems that track time and attendance but also for systems that monitor how work is laos whatsapp number data performed. Even systems implemented for safety reasons primarily impact workers who are most subjected to high-risk work environments, which means they are already vulnerable to encountering harm on the job.
What Should We Do?
Ethically speaking, what should responsible management practices look like in a world that enables the collection and use of biometric data? We can start by considering core ethical principles such as upholding human well-being (beneficence), not creating harm (non-maleficence), upholding justice, and ensuring autonomy. Does the use of biometric systems in the workplace adhere to these principles or run counter to them?
Workers should be afforded the opportunity to say no and have their autonomy respected. Some employees may not be comfortable with biometric data collection, and other mechanisms must be in place to provide options for these people. Some of these systems, such as facial recognition, might not work well for all people, creating instances of bias and discrimination.