The Tyranny of Technology: How Human Capital Management is Watching You
The relationship between employer and employee has always been a delicate dance. But with the rise of Human Capital Management (HCM) platforms, the stakes have never been higher. These systems promise to streamline payroll, performance tracking, and employee data management, but at what cost? Are we trading our privacy and autonomy for the sake of efficiency and profit?
Let’s take a closer look at the companies that are using HCM platforms to manage their employees. Edward Snell & Co, a spirits group in South Africa, uses Payspace to improve its payroll processes. Juliette Bourne, head of human resources, explains that the platform was chosen for its user-friendly interface, cloud-based capabilities, and ISO 27001 IT security standards. But what about the employees? Are they comfortable with the level of monitoring and control that these systems provide?
KPMG, another company that uses HCM platforms, has a mix of systems designed to manage local and international employees. Candice Hartley, chief people officer, says that the company uses Oracle eBusiness Suite for processing payroll and SAP modules to manage performance, learning, and development. But what about the employees’ privacy? Are they aware that their data is being tracked and analyzed?
And then there’s iOCO, a company that uses HCM to support its wellness and enablement initiatives. Ghouwah Emandien, manager: people and culture, says that the company captures KPIs in its employee performance management system and uses the data to help managers have conversations with their staff. But what about the employees’ autonomy? Are they comfortable with the level of control that these systems provide?
The truth is, HCM platforms are designed to monitor and control employees, not empower them. They are the ultimate tool of surveillance, designed to ensure that employees are doing their jobs to the best of their ability. But at what cost? Are we trading our privacy and autonomy for the sake of efficiency and profit?
The answer is a resounding yes. HCM platforms are the ultimate expression of the "surveillance capitalism" that has taken over our lives. They are designed to monitor and control every aspect of our behavior, from our work habits to our personal lives. And they are doing it all in the name of efficiency and profit.
But it’s not just the employees who are affected. HCM platforms are also changing the way we think about work and our place in the world. They are creating a culture of surveillance and control, where every move we make is tracked and analyzed. And they are doing it all in the name of efficiency and profit.
So, what’s the solution? The answer is simple: we need to take back control of our lives and our data. We need to demand transparency and accountability from our employers and our governments. We need to create a culture of trust and respect, where employees are valued and respected, not just seen as means to an end.
In conclusion, HCM platforms are the ultimate tool of surveillance and control. They are designed to monitor and control every aspect of our behavior, from our work habits to our personal lives. And they are doing it all in the name of efficiency and profit. But it’s not just the employees who are affected. HCM platforms are also changing the way we think about work and our place in the world. It’s time to take back control of our lives and our data.
