Microsoft Dynamics 365 criticized for apparently tracking workers

Date:
Wed, 31 Jul 2024 16:28:17 +0000

Description:
Microsoft, Oracle, SAP and Salesforce all accused of having apps that are capable of worker surveillance.

FULL STORY ======================================================================

A report by Australian nonprofit research group Cracked Labs has called out Microsoft Dynamics 365 for its alleged role in helping companies monitor
their workers.

The firm indicated Microsoft Dynamics 365 could be negatively impacting
worker autonomy through the use of software to monitor mobile service workers via smartphone apps, which leads to increased stress associated with micromanagement.

The notes form part of the broader Surveillance and Digital Control at Work project, thus indirectly link Microsoft to the idea of worker surveillance. Microsoft Dynamics 365 worker monitoring

The report compares how mobile maintenance workers were previous able to
enjoy autonomy with the modern reality of increased surveillance through the use of smartphones, which can allow employers to track things like
activities, locations and other data points.

According to Cracked Labs, the increased micromanagement is leading to a reduced sense of purpose and poorer job satisfaction.

The paper, authored by researcher Wolfie Christl, highlights concerns around algorithmic management which pressures workers to speed up tasks, increasing stress and possibly reducing performance.

However, Microsoft isnt alone in enabling this sort of tracking. While the report does focus on Microsoft Dynamics 365, it also notes that similar field service management applications also exist from Oracle, SAP and Salesforce.

Lili Cheng, Corporate VP of Business Applications and Platforms at Microsoft, explained to The Register : "That's one of our key goals, to uphold the dignity and experience of workers.

Furthermore, Microsoft says its software is designed to help field service personnel do their jobs more effectively and responsibly, and while this may be a legitimate reason for enabling some of the tracking technologies, the unfortunate side effect has proven to be heightened worker surveillance. More from TechRadar Pro Cybersecurity workers are increasingly working over the weekends and many are ready to quit Check out the best employee management software Weve listed all the best cloud hosting providers



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/microsoft-dynamics-365-called-out-for-worker-sur veillance


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)