If you use wearables at home, it might be evident how these little tracking devices could be beneficial in the workplace. However, the potential for companies to collect this information without employee knowledge or consent raises the issue of transparency with regard to data collection.
Whether monitoring our daily steps, using intelligent I.D. badges to access buildings and rooms, or wearing smart glasses to check email on the go (and much, much more!), a majority of workers (73%) are open to the idea of bringing wearables into the workplace, according to a study released on Monday, October 27, from Kronos Incorporated conducted by Harris titled, “Wearables at Work.”
Nearly 10,000 workers from Australia, China, France, Germany, India, Mexico, Great Britain, and the U.S. were surveyed about their thoughts on wearables at work. The majority agreed that these devices could increase efficiency, productivity, and safety.
Although privacy was cited as a top concern of U.S. workers interviewed for the survey, less than half (44%) said they believe privacy could be an issue with wearables.
According to a TRUSTe survey from this year, 22% of survey respondents “felt that the benefits of smart devices outweigh any privacy concerns.” However, the vast majority of people surveyed want to know what data is collected and how that data is collected.
Sure, wearables could offer great value to an organization, increase efficiency, and streamline operations if used properly. However, these devices could provide employers with never-before-available information about employees – from their health to their daily tasks and places they access within the building.
Would you use a wearable device for your job?
