Cognizant Technology Solutions has begun training select managers on using workforce-tracking tools such as ProHance to monitor employee laptop activity and application usage on certain client projects, according to training material cited by Mint and other publications.
The module explains that the software captures mouse and keyboard activity and flags users based on inactivity levels. Employees may be marked “idle" after 300 seconds of no activity and tagged “away from system" if their device remains inactive for 15 minutes—though individual delivery teams can customise thresholds. ProHance-type dashboards typically reveal login times, open applications and time spent on tasks, offering a minute-level breakdown of the workday. Reports indicate Cognizant is deploying the tool only on select engagements for now.
The company has told staff the data will be used to understand workflows and improve utilisation, not to evaluate individual performance at this stage. Some client accounts are said to be requesting clearer productivity visibility in hybrid and offshore delivery models, particularly where billable hours are under scrutiny. Managers are being trained to interpret “idle" and “away" labels to identify process bottlenecks rather than escalate issues against employees.
Some employees say the ProHance course has been assigned as a mandatory module requiring consent, sparking concerns about creeping surveillance. They fear that even if the metrics are not formally tied to appraisals now, “idle time" data could informally influence performance conversations. Privacy experts also highlight gaps in India’s data-protection framework regarding how employers collect, store and use monitoring data. For many workers, the larger issue is cultural—anxiety about being reduced to dashboard metrics rather than being trusted to manage their time.
A major concern from such a level of tracking is the potential for performance evaluations. However, Cognizant has clarified that the company will not use this data for such a purpose. Rather, the company seems to be focused on understanding any inefficiencies. A Cognizant spokesperson said, as quoted by the Mint, “We occasionally use various productivity measurement tools, a common industry practice, in select business process management or intuitive operations and automation projects, at the request of customers. The purpose is to help better understand the client process steps and related time metrics to assess process design inefficiencies."
“Also, the tools are used only after obtaining the consent of employees and it is made clear that these are not used for performance evaluation. Additionally, these tools have no impact on the composition of teams engaged in these projects and any suggestion to the contrary is incorrect,“ they added.
Cognizant’s move mirrors a broader rise in “bossware" across IT and BPO sectors, as clients seek tighter verification of effort from distributed teams. Supporters argue such tools can spotlight inefficiencies and protect employees from being blamed for system delays. Critics warn they can hurt morale, promote “activity theatre" and undermine the trust required for knowledge work.
For now, Cognizant says the rollout remains limited. How the company ultimately uses the data—and whether it factors into performance decisions—will shape whether employees view the system as a productivity aid or an unwelcome intrusion.
