59% of UK workers report employer use of tracking software, demand transparency
New research from Owl Labs reveals that 59% of UK workers report their companies use monitoring software to track activities like attendance, mouse movements, and meeting participation. The findings highlight employee demand for transparency, with 82% insisting employers should disclose such practices publicly. The data also exposes inefficiencies in hybrid work, including widespread phantom meeting attendance and time lost to technical difficulties.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- 59% of UK workers report their companies use monitoring software to track attendance, mouse movements, keyboard usage, and meeting participation.
- 82% of workers believe employers should publicly disclose the use of monitoring software.
- 28% of UK workers admit to attending meetings in name only, without active participation.
- 73% of UK workers lose time due to technical difficulties in hybrid meetings, with teams spending an average of six minutes per meeting to start.
Tracking practices divide employers and workers
According to Owl Labs’ research, 59% of UK workers say their companies use monitoring software to track activities such as login/logout times (32%), meeting attendance (22%), screen and mouse movements (17%), and keyboard usage (15%). Despite its prevalence, 82% of workers believe employers should be required to disclose the use of such tools.
Frank Weishaupt, CEO of Owl Labs, argues that tracking software fails to provide meaningful insight into actual work. Instead, it may contribute to distrust or disengagement, particularly in hybrid work environments where employees already face technical and logistical hurdles.
Hybrid meetings plagued by inefficiency
The research highlights persistent friction in hybrid meetings. Seventy-three percent of UK workers report losing time due to technical difficulties, with teams spending an average of six minutes per meeting just to start. This inefficiency has led to a rise in "phantom attendance," where employees mark themselves as present without actively participating. Twenty-eight percent of workers admit to doing this, with managers (33%) more likely to engage in the practice than non-managers (15%).
Weishaupt suggests that better audio-visual technology for hybrid meetings could yield better outcomes than increased surveillance. The data also reveals that 50% of managers and 21% of non-managers are considering AI avatars to attend meetings on their behalf, signaling a demand for automation in repetitive tasks.
Regulatory review could reshape monitoring rules
The UK government is reviewing how workplace monitoring should be regulated, which could lead to new requirements for employer transparency. This follows earlier calls from workers for legal disclosure of AI-based monitoring tools, as highlighted in Owl Labs’ previous research. The potential changes may force companies to rethink their approach to tracking employee activity, balancing productivity goals with trust and compliance.
Workers demand transparency in AI monitoring
This research builds on Owl Labs’ earlier findings, which revealed strong employee demand for legal disclosure of AI-based monitoring. The earlier survey also highlighted rising stress levels and generational differences in how workers respond to workplace surveillance. Together, the data suggests a shift in worker expectations, with transparency becoming a key factor in employee trust and engagement.
What this means
Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.
For founders and operators, this research underscores a growing tension between productivity tools and employee trust. The push for transparency in monitoring software isn’t just about compliance—it’s a signal that workers are increasingly aware of how their activity is tracked and expect clarity. Companies relying on such tools may face backlash or disengagement if they don’t address these concerns proactively.
The data also reveals a practical challenge: hybrid meetings are inefficient, and employees are finding ways to game the system (e.g., phantom attendance). This suggests that better technology—like improved AV tools for hybrid work—could be a more effective investment than surveillance-heavy solutions. For startups building collaboration or productivity tools, this is a clear opportunity to focus on solving real friction points rather than adding to the surveillance economy.
Key takeaways
- Monitoring software is widespread but lacks employee buy-in—82% want transparency about its use.
- Phantom meeting attendance (28%) and technical delays (73%) point to deeper inefficiencies in hybrid work.
- Managers are more likely than non-managers to use AI avatars for meetings, hinting at a demand for automation in repetitive tasks.
- The UK government’s review of workplace monitoring regulations could change how companies deploy these tools, potentially requiring disclosure or limits.
Related on Lazyfounder
Sources
- TechRadar · 2026-11-03
'Now is the time for employers to be open about what they track and why': Employees say more bosses are using tracking software — and want it to be publicly declared
This story is an original summary drafted with AI by Lazyfounder from the reporting listed above and checked by automated validation. Facts are attributed to their original publishers; sections marked as analysis are Lazyfounder's. Where a source is in another language, facts were machine-translated and quotations are reported, not reproduced. Read the original coverage via the links, and see our AI policy and corrections policy.
About the author
Editor, Lazyfounder
Tarun Mottlia edits LazyFounders, covering Indian startups, funding rounds, AI and product launches. Every story on the site is AI-assisted and checked against its cited sources before publication.
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