Controversial Workplace Monitoring: Employee Privacy Concerns

A small business owner in Wuhan, China, has drawn heavy criticism after it was revealed that he requires employees to send him screenshots of their daily phone battery usage before leaving work. The controversial practice has sparked debate online, with many people questioning the ethics of such intrusive monitoring.

Monitoring Smartphones for “Productivity”

Frustrated with his company’s recent underperformance, the employer reportedly became convinced that declining results were connected to how much time staff members spent on their smartphones during working hours. To combat this, he introduced a new rule: every employee must access their phone’s battery settings, capture the daily usage graph, and submit it to him before clocking out.

The idea was meant to track potential distractions, but instead it quickly raised concerns about employee privacy and micromanagement in the workplace.

Employee Backlash

One worker took to social media to expose the unusual policy, explaining that staff members are now expected to comply with this daily monitoring. While some employees voiced frustration and took the issue up with supervisors, others stayed quiet out of fear that pushing back could affect their job security.

Online reaction was swift. On Chinese social platform Weibo, many users condemned the boss’s actions as “useless,” “invasive,” and “a sign the company is in decline.” Some commenters even advised workers to start searching for other employment opportunities, suggesting that such extreme monitoring reflects deeper organizational problems.

The Bigger Issue: Employee Privacy in the Workplace

This case highlights a growing global conversation around workplace privacy and employee monitoring. While many organizations use productivity tools or digital systems to measure performance, requiring workers to disclose their private phone activity crosses into a gray area of employee rights and trust in leadership.

Experts warn that tactics like these can actually harm morale and decrease productivity, as employees feel mistrusted or undervalued. Instead, best practices for improving workplace performance focus on clear communication, goal-setting, and employee engagement strategies rather than surveillance.

Final Thoughts

The Wuhan phone-monitoring controversy serves as a reminder that balancing productivity with employee privacy is essential. While smartphones can be distracting, resorting to invasive oversight risks damaging workplace culture and driving talent away. For long-term success, companies are encouraged to adopt policies that promote trust, accountability, and collaboration instead of fear and control.