Remember that time you checked the NZ Herald page at work and then forty-five minutes later you realised that you had gone down a rabbit hole and were researching '10 ways you won't believe you can get rid of belly fat'?  Yeah, we've all been there. But imagine if your boss had a real-time feed of your every online move.  Welcome to the brave new world of employee tracking, where your keystrokes are counted, your location is pinpointed, and your internet history is an open book.

Now, before we all start wearing tinfoil hats and communicating solely through carrier pigeons, let's break down the legal nitty-gritty of this whole employee tracking shebang.

Here in New Zealand, the law around employee monitoring is a bit like a plate of spaghetti – tangled and potentially messy.  While there's no single, all-encompassing legislation, a few key acts come into play:

• Privacy Act 2020:  This bad boy is all about protecting personal information.  So, if your boss wants to install a camera in the bathroom (please tell me they don't!), this Act would have something to say about that.
• Employment Relations Act 2000: This Act emphasises good faith between employers and employees.  Spying on your team without a good reason?  Not exactly playing fair, is it?
• Health and Safety at Work Act 2015:  This Act is all about keeping you safe at work, but it can also be relevant to employee monitoring.  For example, if your boss is tracking your location to make sure you're not slacking off, but you get injured in a car accident because of the pressure to be constantly "on,"  things could get legally complicated.

The Productivity Paradox

But let's move beyond the legal jargon and talk about the real elephant in the (surveilled) room:  Does employee tracking actually make people more productive?  The answer, my friends, is about as clear as mud but I would suggest that the answer is probably 'no'.

Think about it.  Would you feel motivated and inspired if you knew your every move was being scrutinised? Or would you feel like a lab rat in a maze, constantly looking over your shoulder and second-guessing every decision?

The Inspirational Leader: A Rare Breed

Instead of turning the workplace into a digital prison, why not try a radical approach:  leadership.  You know, that mythical quality where you inspire your team, give them autonomy, and trust them to do their jobs.

Think of it this way:  would you rather be a micromanaging overlord who relies on surveillance to keep employees in line? Or would you rather be the kind of leader who fosters a culture of trust, respect, and genuine motivation?

The Bottom Line

While employee tracking might have its place in certain situations (like ensuring health and safety or preventing theft), it's not a magic bullet for productivity.  In fact, it might even backfire and create a toxic work environment where everyone feels stressed, paranoid, and ultimately, less productive.

So, ditch the spy gadgets and embrace your inner inspirational leader.  Your employees (and your HR team) will thank you.

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