Key Findings
- Employees reject Musk-style tracking: 62% disagree with Elon Musk’s weekly “five work accomplishments” policy – 30% would actively look for a new job if their employer implemented a similar policy and 9% would quit immediately.
- Workplace surveillance leads to turnover: 1 in 9 employees have quit due to extreme accountability or monitoring, and 1 in 6 have considered it.
- Strict reporting policies drive dissatisfaction: 90% say strict reporting negatively impacts the workplace, citing decreased job satisfaction (22%), a culture of fear (22%), and increased burnout (18%).
- Productivity tracking methods vary: While 37% of workplaces lack formal tracking, many use regular manager check-ins (23%), status reports (14%), time-tracking software (14%), and surveillance tools (6%).
- Privacy concerns over monitoring: 1 in 5 employees are against employers monitoring computer usage, emails, and online activity, believing it violates their privacy.
Employee Reactions to Musk’s ‘Pulse Check’ Policy
Recent discussions on workplace oversight have been fueled by Elon Musk’s mandate requiring federal employees to submit a list of five work accomplishments each week or face termination. Employees overwhelmingly reject this level of scrutiny:
- 42% strongly disagree with the policy.
- 20% somewhat disagree.
- 20% somewhat agree.
- 18% strongly agree.
If their employer adopted a similar policy:
- 30% would actively look for another job.
- 30% would tolerate it but dislike it.
- 25% would be fine with it and stay.
- 9% would quit immediately.
The pressure of extreme accountability and workplace surveillance has led many employees to reconsider their positions: 1 in 9 employees have quit their job due to such practices, and 1 in 6 have seriously considered it.
How Employers Track Their Workers
While 37% of employees say their workplace has no formal productivity tracking in place, many report the use of various methods to monitor work completion:
- Regular check-ins with managers (23%)
- Regular status reports via email (14%)
- Time-tracking software (14%)
- Surveillance software, including screen monitoring and keystroke tracking (6%)
- Project management tools such as Asana or Jira (6%)
Despite these measures, 66% of employees say they have full autonomy to manage their workload without constant oversight. However, 25% feel they have some freedom but are still frequently checked in on, and 9% feel closely monitored and micromanaged.
The Harm of Strict Reporting Policies
A significant portion of employees feels the pressure of frequent reporting: 34% say their employer requires them to report on their work daily, and 15% are asked to do so weekly.
This constant oversight takes a toll, with the majority of employees (90%) believing that strict reporting policies negatively impact the workplace, harming both employee well-being and company culture. The most cited consequences include:
- Decreased job satisfaction (22%)
- Creating a culture of fear (22%)
- Increased burnout (18%)
- Higher turnover rates (15%)
- Decreased productivity (12%)
Employee Views on Monitoring Workplace Activity
As debates about workplace surveillance grow, employees have mixed opinions on the extent to which employers should monitor their activities. When asked about monitoring computer usage, emails, and online activity during work hours:
- 36% believe employers have the right to monitor these activities to ensure employees stay on task.
- 21% feel that employee monitoring violates privacy and are against it.
- 43% think monitoring should depend on the role and industry, suggesting that some positions may require more oversight than others.
The Best Ways to Measure Performance, According to Employees
Rather than strict oversight, employees favor more balanced and effective performance evaluation methods:
- Regular, constructive feedback and performance reviews (40%)
- Focus on project outcomes and deadlines (37%)
- Employee self-reporting and goal setting (11%)
- Peer feedback and collaborative assessments (7%)
- Tracking or surveillance software (4%)
“While monitoring workplace performance has become more common, it’s clear from our survey that employees are drawing a line when it comes to extreme surveillance,” said Jasmine Escalera, career expert at Zety. “Excessive tracking and micromanagement can harm company culture, increase burnout, and ultimately drive turnover. It’s essential for employers to strike a balance between ensuring productivity and respecting employee autonomy.”
For detailed insights on the Workplace Monitoring Report, access the full study at zety.com/blog/workplace-monitoring-report or contact Skyler Acevedo, at [email protected].
Methodology
The findings presented were obtained by surveying 1,000 U.S. respondents on February 28, 2025 using Pollfish. Participants were queried about their experiences with workplace surveillance and productivity tracking, responding to various question types, including yes/no questions, scale-based questions gauging agreement levels, and questions that permitted the selection of multiple options from a list of answers.
About Zety
Zety is the leading career website providing the ultimate career toolbox to help everyone find their dream job. Fueled by the best career experts and a community of millions of readers, Zety shares a range of innovative resume templates, expert advice, and resources to empower job seekers at every stage of their career journey. Launched in 2016, Zety has helped millions of job seekers across the globe find employment. With a rapidly growing community of more than 40 million readers, Zety is regarded as “the best online resume builder” on the market and has been featured in Fast Company, CNBC and Forbes, among many others. Follow Zety on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X to stay connected and receive the latest updates.
Media Contact
Skyler Acevedo, Zety, 3472927178, [email protected], zety.com
SOURCE Zety
