Canadian employees protest expanding screen-time monitoring at major firms
Workers at TD Bank, Bell and other large Canadian companies say new software that tracks screen activity is harming their mental health.
TD Bank told its financial crimes and risk management staff that, starting in June, a new system named WorkiQ will log the amount of time they spend on browsers, internal chat and meeting platforms. At Bell, workers say the company has used Verint since the pandemic to capture screen time and mouse movements, imposing effectiveness targets that have risen to 85 per cent. Employees in both firms describe the surveillance as degrading, causing burnout, anxiety and fear of losing bonuses or even their jobs.
Union representative Roch Leblanc has raised the issue in Parliament, calling the tools invasive and misleading. Experts note that monitoring software often heightens stress while failing to boost productivity, and cite research linking such practices to physical strain and reduced workplace trust. Companies argue the technology helps streamline workflows, but staff remain uneasy about constant digital oversight.
Why it matters
Increasing digital surveillance at work threatens employee wellbeing and raises privacy concerns across major Canadian employers.
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