Workers had it with portable computers that tag even toilet breaks
Workers' union GMB has declared open war by threatening strike action unless supermarkets and factories stop using tracking technology on their employees.
The union accuses some companies of making staff feel dehumanised by loading them with portable computers that measure the time they take to perform tasks, such as stock taking and even going to the toilet. The union has implied that staff are missing out on interacting with real live people (and probably a bit of fun), which is making them feel "like slaves" at the mercy of computers.
Unsurprisingly supermarket Tesco, which uses the portable computers GMB is trying to curb, denies tracking its staff and insists mobile computing makes job easier and people happier in their working lives.
That may be the case but while industry and unions look set for another round of face-offs over technology progressing, this really comes down to a basic management issue: keeping staff morale high.
