Cognizant, one of the world’s leading IT service companies, is reportedly introducing a stricter monitoring system for its employees as part of a new productivity and compliance initiative. According to internal updates shared with teams, the company will now classify employees’ laptops as “idle” if there is no activity for five minutes. This move is expected to be implemented through a workforce productivity tool called ProHance, which will track laptop usage, activity levels, and idle time.
The new policy marks a significant expansion of digital surveillance in the IT workplace, raising discussions among employees, HR observers, and industry experts about privacy, trust, productivity expectations, and the evolving nature of remote and hybrid work. While companies worldwide are trying to balance efficiency with flexibility, Cognizant’s latest move suggests a shift toward more controlled and measurable work environments.
Why Cognizant Is Imposing Stricter Monitoring
In recent years, IT service companies have been under pressure to increase operational efficiency, reduce project delays, and maintain client satisfaction amid a rapidly changing digital landscape. With many teams working in hybrid or fully remote settings, tracking productivity has become more complex.
Cognizant’s decision aligns with several internal goals:
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1. Improving Productivity Visibility
The IT sector often deals with large teams working across geographies. Monitoring tools help companies assess how work hours are distributed, identify bottlenecks, and ensure client projects meet deadlines.
2. Standardizing Workflow Monitoring
Many global clients demand transparency in how service hours are utilized. ProHance and similar tools offer detailed data to validate productivity commitments.
3. Ensuring Compliance and Reducing Idle Time
Idle time affects billable hours, especially in client-facing projects. By marking a system “idle” after five minutes, Cognizant aims to reduce inefficiencies and maintain consistent output.
4. Adjusting to Hybrid Work Expectations
Remote work gave employees more flexibility but also made monitoring challenging. Companies are now setting stricter boundaries to regain control and accountability.
What Is ProHance and How Does It Work?
ProHance is a workforce analytics and operations management platform widely used in IT, BPO, and shared services environments. It tracks real-time activity on laptops, including:
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Mouse and keyboard activity
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Time spent on applications
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Active vs. idle hours
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Break duration
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Productivity patterns
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Workflow disruptions
Cognizant plans to roll out the tool gradually, meaning different teams will adopt it in phases, depending on client requirements and project needs.
ProHance is not new to the IT industry — many companies already use it or similar software to standardize workforce measurements. However, the five-minute idle threshold is considered stricter than many industry norms, which usually range from eight to fifteen minutes.
Employee Reactions: Concerns Over Trust and Pressure
The new policy has sparked strong reactions among employees, particularly those working in remote or hybrid setups. Some of the most common concerns include:
1. Pressure and Anxiety
Constant monitoring creates fear of being marked idle, even during short breaks for water, stretching, or personal needs.
2. Impact on Health
Sitting continuously without micro-breaks is known to affect posture, eyesight, and mental well-being. A five-minute threshold may discourage healthy work routines.
3. Lack of Trust
Many employees feel that such close surveillance signals a lack of trust in the workforce, which could affect morale.
4. Unfair Tracking During Meetings
Employees worry about being marked idle during long meetings where screen activity is minimal.
5. Increased Stress in High-Pressure Roles
Teams already dealing with demanding deadlines fear this system may add unnecessary stress.
Why Companies Are Turning to Productivity Surveillance
Cognizant is not alone in adopting such systems. Globally, many companies are implementing surveillance tools to address challenges like:
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Reduced visibility in remote work
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Lower utilization rates
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Client pressure for improved delivery
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Rising competition in outsourcing and IT services
With AI-driven tools becoming more advanced, companies can now track minute-by-minute productivity. While this helps improve operational efficiency, it also raises deeper questions about workplace culture.
Balancing Control and Flexibility: The Bigger Debate
Cognizant’s new monitoring approach highlights a growing divide in corporate work culture. On one hand, companies want measurable productivity. On the other, employees want autonomy and trust.
Arguments Supporting Monitoring:
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Ensures workplace accountability
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Protects client deliverables
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Helps identify process inefficiencies
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Improves project forecasting
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Reduces time wastage
Arguments Against Monitoring:
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Creates unhealthy work pressure
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Reduces trust and morale
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May lead to burnout
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Doesn’t always reflect actual productivity
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Encourages “activity for the sake of activity” instead of meaningful work
The key challenge is striking the right balance.
Impact on Remote and Hybrid Work Models
As companies reassess their long-term strategies, many are moving toward structured hybrid models. Cognizant’s decision indicates a shift toward:
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Tighter attendance rules
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More clarity on expected productive hours
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Reduced flexibility in remote setups
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Increased use of monitoring tools
This could influence how other IT companies shape their policies in 2025 and beyond.
What Employees Can Expect Going Forward
Cognizant is likely to introduce the tool in phases, so immediate changes may vary across teams. Employees can expect:
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Notifications on productivity guidelines
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Clarifications during team meetings
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Possible adjustments in daily schedules
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More defined break policies
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Increased communication from HR and managers
Some teams may receive training on how ProHance works to avoid misunderstandings.
Industry Experts Call for Balanced Implementation
Workplace consultants and HR experts say that such tools should be used responsibly. They recommend:
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A reasonable idle threshold
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Health-based micro-break allowances
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Clear communication with employees
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Transparent policies to avoid fear
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Monitoring work output, not just activity
A balanced approach can help companies maintain productivity without compromising employee well-being.
Conclusion
Cognizant’s decision to mark laptops as “idle” after five minutes of inactivity has sparked widespread debate in the IT community. While the company aims to improve efficiency and meet client expectations, employees are worried about constant surveillance, loss of autonomy, and increased pressure.
The move reflects a larger trend across the global workplace — where technology, monitoring tools, and productivity expectations intersect. As remote and hybrid work continue to evolve, finding the right balance between control and trust will be crucial for companies like Cognizant. Ultimately, the success of such policies will depend on how transparently they are implemented and how well employee concerns are addressed.
