The ICO tasked Survation, a polling and market research firm, to question UK adults on whether they think they’ve been tracked at work, if they feel it’s intrusive or not, and how comfortable they’d be taking a job at a firm which does monitor its employees.

In this context, monitoring can include tracking calls, messages, and keystrokes; taking screenshots, webcam footage, or audio recordings; or using specialist software to track activity.

The survey of over 1,000 people found that nearly one in five (19%) believe they’ve been monitored at work by their employer. Of those who believe so, tracking timekeeping and access was cited as the most common practice (40%), followed by monitoring emails, files, calls, or messages at 25%.

The majority (70%) of people said they’d find it intrusive to be monitored by an employer in any way, with just over one-fifth (21%) saying they wouldn’t find it intrusive. Younger respondents (18-24s) are least likely to find workplace monitoring intrusive (60% intrusive versus 28% not intrusive), while older respondents (55-64s) are the most likely (76% intrusive versus 17% not intrusive).

Further, 57% of the public would feel uncomfortable taking a new job if they knew their employer would be tracking them. Just under one-fifth (19%) would feel comfortable with this, with younger people again feeling more comfortable with being monitored (26%) compared to older people (14%).

Amid these findings — and the rise of remote working and developments in the technology available — the ICO has published guidance for employers to ensure full compliance with data protection laws if they implement monitoring tools and practices.

In addition to outlining the legal requirements, the guidance also includes best practice advice to help employers build trust with their teams and respect their privacy rights.

This includes: having a clearly defined purpose for monitoring and using the least intrusive means; only keeping information which is relevant and purposeful; and making workers aware of the extent they’re being tracked and the reasons behind why, among other steps.

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Speaking on the new research and its guidance, Emily Keaney, deputy commissioner of regulatory policy at the ICO, said: “Our research shows that today’s workforce is concerned about monitoring, particularly with the rise of flexible working – nobody wants to feel like their privacy is at risk, especially in their own home.

“As the data protection regulator, we want to remind organisations that business interests must never be prioritised over the privacy of their workers. Transparency and fairness are key to building trust and it is crucial that organisations get this right from the start to create a positive environment where workers feel comfortable and respected.

“We are urging all organisations to consider both their legal obligations and their workers’ rights before any monitoring is implemented. While data protection law does not prevent monitoring, our guidance is clear that it must be necessary, proportionate and respect the rights of workers. We will take action if we believe people’s privacy is being threatened.”

Last year, after conducing its own survey which found that 28% of workers believe workplace monitoring has increased since COVID-19, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) said that “Worker surveillance tech has taken off during this pandemic – and now risks spiralling out of control.”

Through the research, the union body also found that the financial services (74%), wholesale and retail (73%), and utilities (73%) sectors have the greatest portion of employees reporting being tracked at work.