Socialization processes could be better understood, it has been suggested (Allen et al., 2017), by giving employees wearable sensors which can:

• monitor how social networks facilitate learning in the organizationoassess how and when employees interact with each other

• detect where people are located in relation to each other

• identify the dominant individuals who play major roles in socialization

• assess the strength of relationships between employees

• identify the locations where groups regularly meet

• provide objective information, without having to ask the individuals themselves.

This information could help an organization to improve its socialization processes, by providing more networking opportunities, changing workplace layouts, supporting those who offer informal socialization, and identifying which approaches work best.

But is this employee surveillance ethical?