Nearly one in three workers would let their bosses access their personal data, claims new report
PwC’s Future of Work report suggests that accessing personal data, such as social media profiles, can help companies better measure productivity and engagement. This form of data profiling, already used by advertisers, digital signage networks and retailers to understand consumer behaviour, could become commonplace.
The report was based on a survey of 10,000 employees and 500 HR professionals across the world.
Employers would use this data to understand what motivates their workforce, why people might move jobs and how to improve employee wellbeing.
Generation Y is expected to represent half of the global workforce by 2020. These Millennials are more open to sharing their personal data than Gen X; meaning that this kind of data monitoring could rise significantly over the next decade.
Anthony Bruce, HR workforce analytics leader at PwC, said that this sort of data profiling could also enable real-time monitoring of employees’ health, including guidance to help reduce sick leave.
“Key to the success of organisations being able to use employee data will be developing measurable benefits for those who hand over their data and building trust through clear rules about how data is acquired, used and shared,” he said.
“HR teams are already gearing up for these changes and are increasingly using data analytics to spot retention and performance issues. The main challenge for organisations will be convincing employees that the price of handing over their data and monitoring is one worth paying.”
Findings revealed that technology will have a culture-changing impact on the workplace in the next five to 10 years, according to both workers and HR professionals! A quarter of HR professionals questioned for the report said they were already prepared for this, while 58% said they are in the process of it.
The report also found that 64% of workers believe that technology will improve their job prospects, although a quarter had concerns that automation may put their job at risk. 59% of employees were prepared to be contactable via technology at all times, in return for secure employment – with this rising to 64% of Gen Y workers.