Employee tracking software is reshaping modern workplaces, but is it for better or worse? As these tools become more widespread—from activity monitors to location trackers—concerns about their impact are growing. Our survey of over 1,000 U.S. employees reveals just how deeply tracking influences job satisfaction, stress levels, and even loyalty. With privacy and mental health at the forefront, many workers are questioning if the trade-off is worth it.
- 1 in 5 employees are monitored by an activity tracker.
- 1 in 3 employees share their computer's location with their employer, and 1 in 7 employees share their phone's location.
- Tech employees are the most likely to have their activity tracked, with 1 in 3 being monitored.
- 30% of finance workers have their activity tracked, as do 21% of retail employees, 20% of people working in healthcare, and 17% of educators.
- The bigger the company, the more likely it is to track its employees: Just 8% of those working at micro companies (1-9 employees) have their activity tracked, while 18% of those working at small companies (10-49 employees) track their employees, as do 23% of medium companies (50-249 employees) and 24% of large companies (250+ employees).
- 1 in 4 remote and hybrid employees (25%) have their activity tracked, compared to 18% of in-person employees.
- 75% of employees who don't currently have their location tracked would be unwilling to share that information with their employer.
- 36% of employees whose activity is tracked are currently looking for a new job compared to just 18% of those who are not tracked.
- Activity tracking does not seem to make employees more productive: Tracked and untracked employees report equal productivity levels.
- Tracked employees report higher stress levels, worse mental health, and less job satisfaction than untracked employees.
- More than 1 in 4 tracked employees distrust their employer.
- Half of tracked employees feel pressured to work more hours.
- 64% of untracked employees would recommend their company to others, while 58% of tracked employees would do the same.
- Tracked employees are twice as likely to feel disloyal to their company, with 12% reporting disloyalty compared to just 6% of untracked employees.
- 53% of employees believe it's a privacy violation for employers to track their activity.
- 3 in 4 employees believe it's a privacy violation for employers to track their location.
- 3 in 10 managers track their employees' activity.
- Among managers who track their employees' activity, 1 in 3 check the activity daily, and 90% check at least once a week.
- Half of the managers currently tracking activity plan to expand employee surveillance efforts over the next year.
- 1 in 4 managers track their employees' computer location, and 1 in 10 track their phone location.
- 4 in 5 managers who track their employees' activity believe it makes them more productive.
- 65% of managers who track their employees' location believe it makes them more productive.
Methodology
We surveyed 1,016 employed Americans; 64% were employees, and 36% were managers. Of the employees, 18% worked in tech, 11% worked in education, 11% worked in healthcare, 8% worked in finance, and 7% worked in retail. Additionally, 43% of employees worked in-person, 28% worked hybrid, and 27% worked remotely.
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Fair Use Statement
If you're interested in sharing the findings from our study on employee tracking, you're welcome to do so for noncommercial purposes. Just be sure to credit this page as the source when referencing our insights on how tracking impacts the workplace.