I just got a job offer from a consultancy and, upon reading the contract, found out the company uses employee monitoring software on company-issued devices. They say they use the software just with the objective of improving overall performance and that it doesn't bear weight in individual performance evaluations. C'mon, I wasn't born yesterday…
The software can log things like websites and files accessed, webcam and microphone activation, and does screenshots at random intervals of time. It even reports on the “profile” of keystrokes and mouse inactivity.
Maybe I am overreacting, but this point is making me second-guess if I should take the position. I am OK reporting what I am doing, but this type of surveillance makes me feel violated. Furthermore, my previous jobs were the type “we don't care how you organize your time as long as you meet the deadline” and I preferred that way. I also have a hunch that this type of software promotes micromanagement, which I hated in the past. Finally, I have back issues and like to stand up, walk, and stretch from time to time. I don't want to have a piece of software telling me I cannot take care of my health.
Anyone cares to share their experience and opinion about how this software changed your daily work routine? Was it for the better? was it for the worse?
TL;DR: What are your opinions and experiences about employee monitoring software?