In management
area of sociological research, there are two key theories that describe two
very different approaches to managing the workplace. These two theories are
called Theory X and Theory Y. Theory X assumes that all employees are lazy and
will avoid work as much as possible. Basically, it assumes the worst of workers
that is possibly, and states that extreme discipline is required to get the
workers to actually work. Theory Y, on the other hand, assumes that employees
can be motivated and even excited about their work, if given reasons to be
motivated and excited. Basically, it assumes the best of workers as much as
possible, and takes a more holistic approach to management than Theory X. Employees like Theory Y work environments much
more than Theory X ones, and are generally able to tell which is which.
Why do these two
theories matter to surveillance, however? According to the above-linked paper, they
apparently matter a great deal. Based on the research conducted in the paper,
the introduction of many new employee surveillance methods to a workplace signals
to some of the workers that the company is undergoing a transition from a
Theory Y work environment to a Theory X one, and this can have a real effect on
company loyalty. The survey also found that while all the new data made the
manages think like they had better info about employees, employees felt that
was actually far from the case, signaling a disconnect between management and
employees that more closely resembles a Theory X workplace than a Theory Y one.
So, what are my
thoughts on the relationship between employer surveillance and Theory X and Y
workplaces? I definitely think that Theory X workplaces tend to have more employees
monitoring than Theory Y ones, since employee monitoring is generally born out
of distrust for employees, a key element of Theory X management. Employees like
to feel trusted, and while some will certainly take advantage of this trust,
others will use it as motivation to work even harder.
So, what do others think of this matter? Does an increase in
surveillance help change how employees perceive the workplace? If so, is this
work the possible risks to company loyalty?
-Noel Hansen
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