Employees’ Response to Electronic Monitoring:The Relationship between CCTV Surveillance and Employees’ Engagement

Organizations use various methods to control employees’ activities to ensure increased productivity, performance and profitability. The different methods used by employers to monitor employees will certainly affect how they are engaged in the workplace. Through employee engagement in the workplace there is assurance that employees are committed to their organization’s goals, values, motivated to add to organizational achievements, and are able at the same time to improve their individual sense of well-being. Among the surveillance methods used is CCTV surveillance. However, the relationship between CCTV surveillance and employees’ engagement has been scarcely researched. The study aimed to determine the relationship between CCTV surveillance and employees’ engagement in commercial banks in Kenya. In conducting the study, a correlational research design was adopted. Out of the population of banks employees, a sample of 384 employees, randomly selected was used as a representation of the population. Structured questionnaires were used for data collection purposes. Reliability of the questionnaire was tested by a pilot questionnaire and also by use of Cronbach’s alpha. Validity was ensured through thorough literature review and discussion with experts. The collected data was coded and analyzed by use SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Science). Means, correlations and regression analysis were used to establish the relationship between electronics monitoring and employee engagement. The study established that there is a positive correlation between CCTV monitoring and employees’ engagement. The null hypotheses was not supported which is a further confirmation that there is a statistically significant relationship between web CCTV monitoring and employee’s engagement. Consultation and involvement of employees is therefore necessary for any organization intending to introduce CCTV surveillance. Management should also create an environment of trust and the outcome of any surveillance should be used for constructive purpose as these will create a good ground for positive engagement. Future studies could focus on other methods of electronic monitoring other than the ones that has been considered in this study. In addition, there could be studies on how acceptable legal structures could be developed to suit the use of electronic surveillance systems.