Overview

• Body doubling, initially developed for children with ADHD, is being repurposed by companies to monitor remote workers and enhance productivity.
• The method involves employees working on constant video calls without necessarily interacting, providing accountability and reducing isolation.
• A University of East London study found body doubling improved focus and productivity for most users of the virtual co-working platform Flown.
• Critics, including some employees, describe the practice as intrusive and liken it to a 'Big Brother' approach to workplace oversight.
• Experts recommend making body doubling optional, as it may not suit all workers, with some thriving in quieter, more solitary environments.