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Essential jobs, remote work and digital surveillance: Addressing the COVID‐19 pandemic panopticon

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  • Antonio ALOISI
  • Valerio DE STEFANO

Abstract

An unprecedented COVID‐19‐induced explosion in digital surveillance has reconfigured power relationships in professional settings. This article critically concentrates on the interplay between technology‐enabled intrusive monitoring and the augmentation of managerial prerogatives in physical and digital workplaces. It identifies excessive supervision as the common denominator of “essential” and “remotable” activities, besides discussing the various drawbacks faced by the two categories of workers during (and after) the pandemic. It also assesses the adequacy of the current European Union legal framework in addressing the expansion of data‐driven management. Social dialogue, workers' empowerment and digital literacy are identified as effective ways to promote organizational flexibility, well‐being and competitiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonio ALOISI & Valerio DE STEFANO, 2022. "Essential jobs, remote work and digital surveillance: Addressing the COVID‐19 pandemic panopticon," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 161(2), pages 289-314, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:intlab:v:161:y:2022:i:2:p:289-314
    DOI: 10.1111/ilr.12219
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Maeva El Bouchikhi & Sophie Weerts & Christine Clavien, 2024. "The internet of things deployed for occupational health and safety purposes: A qualitative study of opportunities and ethical issues," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(12), pages 1-24, December.
    2. Volosevici Dana, 2025. "Human Resources and GDPR Compliance: Lessons from Romanian Data Protection Case Law on Workplace Privacy," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Sciendo, vol. 19(1), pages 4329-4344.
    3. Burdin, Gabriel & Dughera, Stefano & Landini, Fabio & Belloc, Filippo, 2023. "Contested Transparency: Digital Monitoring Technologies and Worker Voice," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1340, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    4. Annarosa Pesole, 2025. "Algorithmic Management and the Platformisation of Work in Europe: Evidence from Spain and Germany," The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, Springer;The Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE), vol. 68(2), pages 367-394, June.
    5. Anna Pamula & Magdalena Zalewska-Turzynska, 2023. "Internal Communication Satisfaction while Remote Work: The Organizational Culture Perspective," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(2), pages 30-48.
    6. Kuok Kei Law & Youngjae Koh, 2023. "What Is Next? The Longer-Term Managerial Challenges following COVID-19," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-15, September.
    7. Begoña Urien, 2023. "Teleworkability, Preferences for Telework, and Well-Being: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-32, July.
    8. Norlander, Peter & Erickson, Christopher, 2022. "The Role of Institutions in Job Teleworkability Before and After the Covid-19 Pandemic," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1172, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    9. Niilo Noponen & Polina Feshchenko & Tommi Auvinen & Vilma Luoma-aho & Pekka Abrahamsson, 2024. "Taylorism on steroids or enabling autonomy? A systematic review of algorithmic management," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 74(3), pages 1695-1721, September.
    10. Spearing, Joe, 2025. "Workplace autonomy and mental health," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).

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