While workplace studies consistently show that micromanagement diminishes productivity, some leaders seem keen to persist in this delusion. The Trump-Musk administration exemplifies this trend, reportedly using AI to monitor federal employees' communications for disloyalty or DEI terminology.

This surveillance surge marks a stark shift from the pseudo-benevolent corporate culture of the late 2010s. 

Today's workplace embraces austerity, with industry leaders like James Watt advocating "work-life integration" over balance or blend. 

Projections suggest 70% of large employers will monitor staff by year-end, whilst companies continue mass redundancies amid economic uncertainty.

Corporations have abandoned pretence, nakedly prioritising efficiency and competition regardless of impact on staff. 

However, Generation Z increasingly rejects this paradigm, seeking employers offering security and genuine benefits rather than gruelling conditions.

Despite this resistance, it's difficult to envision workers prevailing against this powerful wave of corporate drudgery, especially when championed by political figures conducting the very surveillance they promote.

Ultimately, hypervigilance offers false assurance to control-seeking managers. Rather than fostering productivity through fear, such practices will likely yield disengaged, unhappy workers - a loss for employees with no real winners.