Risks and Benefits of Wearable Devices in the Workplace

02 August 2021

According to research, every sixth customer now prefers to own and use gadgets. Most of us pay in stores with wearable technology. People track calories the same way. They turn on the cameras using wrist movements or unblock access with the identifier assigned to this small device. The use of such trackers and smart homes is becoming commonplace. Of course, this is the main trend these days. But what about monitoring workflows? Our experts decided to figure out what are the prospects for using devices for corporations. Let’s see what came of it.

Employee Activity Monitoring – Is It Real in 2021?

Wearable gadgets will help us to simplify communication and thus solve problems faster. This technology can be used in different ways in the workplace. For example, family doctors can use advanced devices to immediately examine veins without an X-ray. Professional cyclists really benefit from information about their training parameters. We are talking about pace, peaks in activity and declines in speed, the effect of wind and relief. Very often, the heart rate at different stages of the distance and the amount of oxygen in the exhaled air matter.

Hardly anyone would deny that wearable devices can improve our fitness. Thousands of people are already using cutting-edge technology to monitor activity. But the most important application is yet to come. We’re talking about the workplace. Wrist accessories often include a  feature that transmits health and fitness information. Advanced equipment takes pictures or collects data by syncing with smartphones. It is an indispensable function for those looking for a tool to improve the performance of each employee.

A 2016 COLLOQUY poll of 1,060 US people found that 63% considered advanced equipment to be too expensive. By 2020, this trend will change significantly. Since most devices are cheaper. Experts are confident that such accessories are created to be easy and compact. But this is not without alternatives. The boom is associated with the Coronavirus pandemic. Fitness trackers, pulse oximeters have skyrocketed in popularity in 2020. This is the best confirmation of the promise of such a technology.

Different teams prefer various technical opinions. People can use glasses, watches, headbands, caps, gloves, shoes, and bracelets. It would be fair to say that most of such accessories are imperfect and, because of this, are not yet very popular. Non-specialized wearables still seem like geek toys. The situation with niche specialized versions is much more promising. We’re talking about the military, medical corporations, sports teams, and other people.

Wearable Accessories Perspectives

According to the Tech Times, staff equipped with advanced gadgets have productivity improvements of up to 8.5%. In this case, people also have a 3.5% increase in job satisfaction. So buying such devices will be a good investment. The study, led by Dr. Chris Brower of the Goldsmiths Institute for Management Research at the University of London, suggests that corporate leaders will need to adopt cloud computing to make the company more efficient, as advanced systems will integrate with platforms like ICOholder or process big data. We are talking about the fact that a good analyst or financier needs to quickly get important statistics and this can be easily done with advanced equipment.

Wrist accessories today are performing the same computational tasks as laptops. In addition, such devices can transmit information to the server by means of Wi-Fi. Some manufacturers even offer capabilities not available with PCs. It’s about activity monitoring, motion or moisture sensors, and more.

How About Employee Fear?

Team leaders are increasingly adopting wearable gadgets in the hopes of improving their subordinates’ efficiency. Most electronics manufacturers offer unique new opportunities to engage employees in their work and organizational environment. This helps both subordinates and managers perform any task more productively. If we are talking about a large office, wrist accessories are a tool for identification. Without such devices, people will not be able to get into the office. The key for gadgets is the ability to integrate with different systems. In fact, most versions will require use with global platforms to get real benefits.

Despite the obvious benefits, using sensors can negatively impact performance. Employees who refuse such devices may fear being fired due to health problems. Although, this is not the only problem. Employers must be confident that they keep the privacy of their staff safe. Since wearable equipment is always connected to servers, such accessories are more vulnerable to hacker attacks. Due to this, employees do not always want to use even the most advanced gadgets.

People want to keep their personal information protected. If team leaders want to provide subordinates with gadgets, they should choose cloud-based platforms. This is the best way to protect data. 

Wrapping Up

Employee monitoring is a clear benefit for the management of the company. The data obtained can be used as evidence in cases related to offenses at the workplace, accidents, theft, or damage to property. It is also justified when it is necessary to ensure the safety of employees, control production, or keep the confidentiality of certain premises.

On the other hand, company and employee monitoring are not allowed in some cases. In order to avoid misunderstandings, it is worth adhering to legal norms. There are many restrictions on this. For example, security cameras cannot be used in toilets, dressing rooms, dining rooms, smoking rooms. The introduction of wearable devices will be no less specific and the management of the companies should understand this.