Cognizant Introduces ProHance for Employee Monitoring Amid Productivity Drive

Cognizant Technology Solutions has begun rolling out ProHance, an advanced workforce management tool, to monitor employee activity on company-issued laptops and PCs. This move marks a significant shift towards enhanced digital oversight aimed at boosting productivity amid growing client demands for efficient project delivery.

ProHance tracks mouse and keyboard inputs, marking employees as “idle” after five minutes of inactivity and “away from system” after 15 minutes. It logs time spent on tasks, applications, breaks, and session durations to provide detailed visibility into work patterns. The rollout is gradual, starting with select teams involved in business process management and automation projects.

Cognizant emphasizes that ProHance data is not currently used for individual performance evaluation but to identify process inefficiencies and improve client service workflows. A company spokesperson stated the tool’s purpose is to analyze client process steps and associated time metrics, not to penalize employees.

However, some employees report mandatory ProHance training courses, which required clicking “I agree” to proceed, raising questions about the genuineness of consent. The training covers metrics including productive hours, task-specific durations, and application usage.

This initiative highlights a broader industry trend toward granular productivity tracking in hybrid and remote workplaces. It brings to light the delicate balance between operational efficiency and employee privacy, trust, and autonomy.

Concerns include micromanagement risks that could stifle creativity and natural workflow, potential impacts on morale, and compliance with privacy laws. For success, companies must communicate monitoring goals clearly, offer opt-out or anonymization options, and ensure data supports employees rather than penalizing them.

Cognizant’s ProHance deployment will be a key case study in navigating the tensions between workforce surveillance and fostering a healthy, productive work culture.