Impact of demographic variables on workplace surveillance levels amongst a sample of public service employees in Zimbabwe.

Abstract

Orientation: The study is located in an organisation responsible for the administration of the Zimbabwean border posts. The nature of its business calls for the use of surveillance to curb criminal activities. Research Purpose: The study examines how workplace surveillance affects employees based on their demographic differences.
Motivation of the Study: Smuggling is rife at Zimbabwe border posts depriving the state of revenue while exposing the civil society to smuggled goods. The use of workplace surveillance is critical in managing such illegal activities but the employer needs not infringe employee rights to privacy.                          Research Design, Approach and Method: The research follows a survey research design, and a quantitative research approach using a positivism research philosophy. Data collection amongst a sample of 364 respondents was possible through Survey Monkey.  Data analysis comprised of descriptive and inferential statistics. In particular, the study utilised Shapiro-Wilk and Kruskal Wallis tests.
Main Findings: The study found that demographic variables that have an impact on workplace surveillance are employee age, education and computer use experience while gender, work experience, work role, and time spent on the internet do not. Practical/Managerial Implications: The employer needs to understand that employees appreciate the business importance of workplace surveillance and there is a need to involve them in such decisions. Management also needs to ensure that such surveillance does not thwart employee privacy rights.
Contribution or value-add: The study contributes to the body of knowledge by noting that employee age, education and computer use experience demographic variables have an impact on workplace surveillance while gender, work experience, work role, and time spent on the internet do not.