With fitness trackers in the workplace, bosses can monitor your every step - and possibly more

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/with-fitness-trackers-in-the-workplace-bosses-can-monitor-your-every-step--and-possibly-more/2019/02/15/75ee0848-2a45-11e9-b011-d8500644dc98_story.html

With fitness trackers in the workplace, bosses can monitor your every step — and possibly more
By Christopher Rowland
February 16 at 7:13 PM

IRVING, Texas — On his 21st day back at work after a heart attack and triple bypass surgery, Chris Zubko received a call from the main office. Through an app on his phone, his boss was literally monitoring every step of Zubko’s recovery.

“Man! I noticed your steps have picked up,’’ gushed Wayne Gono, 65, whose family operates Regal Plastics, a small fabrication business with satellite shops around Texas. “You used to be under 2,000, now you’re over 6,000. Two times you worked out this week. Good!’’

Welcome to a rapidly growing phenomenon in the workplace: constant health surveillance.

A digital fitness tracker strapped to Zubko’s wrist sends a tally of his daily movements, via the company’s UnitedHealth Group insurance account, to an app on his boss’s phone. While some employees might find this real-time feedback intrusive, Zubko, 51, said he is unfazed.