Technology

Young and black workers face disproportionate workplace surveillance amid AI rise

Friday, 30 May 2025 12:30AM UTC

Research from the IPPR reveals that young employees and black workers experience higher levels of intrusive monitoring in low-autonomy jobs, raising urgent calls for updated legal protections against algorithmic management and privacy violations.

Research from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) reveals that young individuals entering the workforce and black employees are notably more susceptible to intrusive workplace surveillance. This comes amid growing concerns about how pervasive monitoring practices, which include recording calls, analysing emails, and even using cameras or laptop webcams to observe employees, disproportionately affect certain demographics.

The IPPR's analysis indicates that workers in low-skilled, low-autonomy roles—such as shop floor staff, warehouse employees, delivery drivers, and call centre operators—are often subject to heightened levels of surveillance. This is particularly pronounced among young workers aged 16 to 29, who find themselves in jobs where employer trust may be lacking and turnover rates are perceived as less critical. Additionally, while black workers experience significant rates of surveillance, they often benefit from greater union representation, which may offer some degree of protection.

Joseph Evans, a researcher with the IPPR and co-author of the report, highlighted the discord between the rapid evolution of surveillance technology and the stagnation of legislative protections. He stated that while current practices might not violate the law, there is an urgent need for mechanisms that can curb excessive monitoring, which poses risks to individuals' privacy and freedom of expression. Evans emphasised that workplace surveillance is increasingly intertwined with artificial intelligence (AI), which not only enhances monitoring capabilities but can also skew the dynamics of employer-employee relationships. He noted, “Surveillance and algorithmic management are very linked… AI can create much more sophisticated insights," thus raising ethical questions about data use.

The movement towards greater surveillance could exacerbate existing inequalities in the labour market, particularly for black workers who are often in roles that expose them to more intrusive monitoring practices. Evans warned that this environment might stifle workers’ ability to express themselves, potentially impacting job satisfaction and productivity. He advocates for the introduction of legal rights that would allow workers to negotiate and consult on surveillance practices, fostering a workplace where employees feel empowered to challenge excessive monitoring.

Reports from various organisations further support the IPPR's findings, with the Trades Union Congress (TUC) noting that more than half of workers believe they are under surveillance at work, with younger employees and those in larger companies most at risk. The TUC also underscored concerns regarding the potential for discrimination as a result of unchecked surveillance, indicating that two-thirds of workers fear that monitoring could be used in a discriminatory manner if left unregulated.

Moreover, data drawn from recent studies highlights that nearly a third of minority ethnic workers report all their activities being monitored, starkly contrasting with the experiences of their white counterparts. This discrepancy raises alarms about potential discrimination, as there are indications that monitoring technologies, including facial recognition, may be disproportionately targeted towards black and minority ethnic workers.

In response to these alarming trends, the IPPR is pushing for the UK government to undertake a comprehensive review of acceptable surveillance practices, urging action to protect the mental and physical wellbeing of the workforce. This includes recommendations for transparency requirements that compel employers to disclose what data is collected and how it will be used, mirroring rights currently afforded during redundancy processes.

The Department for Business and Trade has responded with assurances that they are considering steps to ensure workers' rights evolve alongside technological advancements. Their strategy includes safeguarding against privacy invasions and algorithmic discrimination, aiming to place workers' voices at the forefront of Britain's digital transition. However, as concerns regarding workplace surveillance grow, the call for stronger regulations and protections becomes increasingly urgent.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.irishnews.com/news/uk/young-people-and-black-workers-at-highest-risk-of-workplace-surveillance-SBXEUH2MBFMALGKH3Q7GW6UY74/ - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/mar/26/dystopian-surveillance-disproportionately-targets-young-female-minority-workers-ippr-report - A report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) highlights that 'dystopian' worker surveillance techniques disproportionately affect young people, women, and ethnic minorities. The IPPR calls for stronger regulation to protect workers from intrusive monitoring, noting that non-unionised women are 52% more likely to face surveillance, and black workers are also 52% more likely to be surveilled. The report urges the UK government to review acceptable surveillance practices to prevent negative consequences for the mental and physical wellbeing of the workforce.
https://www.ippr.org/media-office/dystopian-worker-surveillance-techniques-likely-to-disproportionately-affect-young-people-says-ippr - The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) reports that worker surveillance practices have become increasingly common, with young people, women, and black workers being disproportionately affected. The report suggests that workers in non-unionised, low-autonomy, and low-skilled jobs are more likely to be monitored. The IPPR recommends that the UK government consider outlawing practices such as keystroke monitoring and that employers share data collected with employees to ensure fairness and transparency.
https://www.ier.org.uk/news/watching-me-watching-you-worker-surveillance-in-the-uk-after-the-pandemic/ - The Institute of Employment Rights (IER) discusses the rise of worker surveillance in the UK, particularly following the pandemic. The IER notes that technologies like webcam, movement, and email monitoring have become more prevalent, with workers in low-skilled and non-unionised jobs being more at risk. The report highlights the need for policy recommendations to address the balance of power between workers and employers and to ensure that surveillance is fair and proportionate.
https://www.tuc.org.uk/research-analysis/reports/ill-be-watching-you - The Trades Union Congress (TUC) report 'I'll be watching you' examines workplace monitoring and its implications. The report finds that over half of workers (56%) believe they are being monitored at work, with younger workers and employees in large companies being more likely to be surveilled. Two-thirds of workers (66%) are concerned that workplace surveillance could be used in a discriminatory way if left unregulated. The TUC calls for legal requirements for employers to consult with staff before introducing new forms of surveillance.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/black-asian-workers-work-surveillance-b2083942.html - An article in The Independent reveals that increased workplace surveillance has led to warnings that Black and Asian workers in Britain face a heightened risk of discrimination. A study found that one in three (33%) minority workers said all their activities in the workplace were monitored, compared to less than one in five (19%) white employees. The study also found that Black and Asian workers were more likely to be subject to facial recognition technology to monitor mood and expression, raising concerns about potential discrimination.
https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/120139/html/ - A written submission to the UK Parliament's Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee discusses the implications of workplace surveillance. The submission highlights that Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) workers are more likely to experience monitoring and surveillance at work, with 33% of BAME workers reporting that all their activities were monitored compared to 19% of white workers. The submission also notes that BAME workers were more likely to report being subject to facial recognition technology to monitor mood and expression.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative is based on a recent report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), published on 30 May 2025. This report has been covered by reputable outlets such as The Guardian on 26 March 2023 ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/mar/26/dystopian-surveillance-disproportionately-targets-young-female-minority-workers-ippr-report?utm_source=openai)) and HR Magazine on 6 April 2023 ([hrmagazine.co.uk](https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/content/news/worker-surveillance-disproportionately-affects-low-skilled-jobs?utm_source=openai)). The earlier publications indicate that the core findings are not new, but the recent coverage suggests updated data or perspectives. The report is a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, the earlier publications suggest that the core findings are not new. The recent coverage may indicate updated data or perspectives. The earlier publications suggest that the core findings are not new. The recent coverage may indicate updated data or perspectives.

Quotes check

Score: 7

Notes: The report includes direct quotes from Joseph Evans, a researcher with the IPPR and co-author of the report. These quotes have been used in earlier publications, such as The Guardian on 26 March 2023 ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/mar/26/dystopian-surveillance-disproportionately-targets-young-female-minority-workers-ippr-report?utm_source=openai)). The repetition of these quotes suggests that the content may be recycled. However, the inclusion of updated data or perspectives in the recent coverage may justify a higher freshness score.

Source reliability

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative originates from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), a reputable think tank. The report has been covered by established media outlets such as The Guardian ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/mar/26/dystopian-surveillance-disproportionately-targets-young-female-minority-workers-ippr-report?utm_source=openai)) and HR Magazine ([hrmagazine.co.uk](https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/content/news/worker-surveillance-disproportionately-affects-low-skilled-jobs?utm_source=openai)). The IPPR's involvement and the coverage by reputable media outlets enhance the reliability of the information.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The claims about the disproportionate impact of workplace surveillance on young and black workers are consistent with previous reports and studies. The inclusion of updated data or perspectives in the recent coverage may justify a higher freshness score. The narrative lacks specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates, which reduces the score and flags it as potentially synthetic.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative is based on a recent report from the IPPR, which has been covered by reputable outlets such as The Guardian and HR Magazine. The repetition of quotes and the lack of specific factual anchors suggest that the content may be recycled or synthetic. The inclusion of updated data or perspectives in the recent coverage may justify a higher freshness score. The involvement of a reputable think tank and coverage by established media outlets enhance the reliability of the information. However, the lack of specific factual anchors reduces the score and flags it as potentially synthetic.

workplace surveillance
IPPR
AI
labour market
worker rights
discrimination