I saw this on CNN today and finally located the story at the  TimesOnline web site. Seems the software giant has applied for a patent for software that will allow employers to remotely spy on workers. The software is alleged to monitor workers by wireless sensors that will measures the workers metabolism. In the article it further states:

The system would allow managers to monitor employees’ performance by measuring their heart rate, body temperature, movement, facial expression and blood pressure. Unions said they fear that employees could be dismissed on the basis of a computer’s assessment of their physiological state.

Microsoft submitted a patent application in the US for a “unique monitoring system” that could link workers to their computers. Wireless sensors could read “heart rate, galvanic skin response, EMG, brain signals, respiration rate, body temperature, movement facial movements, facial expressions and blood pressure”, the application states.

The system could also “automatically detect frustration or stress in the user” and “offer and provide assistance accordingly”. Physical changes to an employee would be matched to an individual psychological profile based on a worker’s weight, age and health. If the system picked up an increase in heart rate or facial expressions suggestive of stress or frustration, it would tell management that he needed help.

I like the last part “it would tell management that he needed help.” I would suspect that this software could also be used for performance evaluations as well as justifying terminating an employee.

What do you think?

Commenst welcome.

Full article is here.

[tags]microsoft, patent, employee, monitor, software, wireless, sensors, [/tags]