New data has revealed the UK’s top hotspots for employees seeking to avoid productivity monitoring through “skiving tech,” with Reading, Preston, and Wakefield emerging as the most prominent areas. The report, compiled by tech expert QR Code Generator, highlights a significant regional disparity in the use of technology designed to simulate mouse and keyboard activity, which helps remote workers evade oversight.
According to the data, Reading leads the list with an average of 92.6 searches per 100,000 residents for terms like “mouse jiggler” and “keyboard clicker.” This represents a 69% increase over the national average of 54.9 searches per 100,000. Preston and Wakefield follow closely, with search rates of 86.6 and 77.3 per 100,000, respectively. Cheltenham and Hove round out the top five, with search rates of 76.4 and 76.3 per 100,000.
The ten areas most likely to be using tech to skive off work
| Rank | Location | Average Monthly Keyword Searches (per 100k Population) | Comparison to National Average (54.9 per 100k Population) |
| 1 | Reading | 92.60 | 69% higher |
| 2 | Preston | 86.60 | 58% higher |
| 3 | Wakefield | 77.32 | 41% higher |
| 4 | Cheltenham | 76.37 | 39% higher |
| 5 | Hove | 76.31 | 39% higher |
| 6 | Chelmsford | 75.30 | 37% higher |
| 7 | Rochdale | 74.44 | 36% higher |
| 8 | Worcester | 73.88 | 35% higher |
| 9 | Crawley | 73.79 | 34% higher |
| 10 | Mansfield | 72.32 | 32% higher |
The rise in searches for skiving tech peaks during the summer months, particularly in June, which saw 57,550 searches nationwide. This spike suggests that employees are increasingly looking for ways to avoid productivity trackers during warmer periods when motivation may wane. January and December also see a notable increase in searches, possibly linked to post-holiday periods when workers may seek ways to ease back into routine.
Interestingly, London ranks as the least likely area to use skiving tech, with a search volume of just 26.9 per 100,000, which is 51% lower than the national average. This lower interest in skiving technology in London could reflect a more relaxed work culture or a reduced reliance on productivity-tracking software compared to other regions.
The five areas least likely to be using tech to skive off work
| Rank | Location | Average Monthly Keyword Searches (per 100k Population) | Comparison to National Average (54.9 per 100k Population) |
| 1 | London | 26.93 | 51% lower |
| 2 | Cardiff | 28.45 | 48% lower |
| 3 | Kingston upon Hull | 31.16 | 43% lower |
| 4 | Birmingham | 33.26 | 39% lower |
| 5 | Stoke-on-Trent | 35.74 | 35% lower |
Cardiff, Hull, Birmingham, and Stoke-on-Trent also show relatively low interest in skiving tech, suggesting these areas may be better suited for hiring remote employees with a stronger commitment to their work.
Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator, commented on the findings: “The variation in interest across different cities is quite telling. Cities like Reading are clearly more engaged in finding ways to bypass productivity tracking. As remote work becomes increasingly common, it’s essential for employees to maintain their commitment and not undermine the flexibility that remote working offers.”
Porcar further noted that the increased searches for skiving tech during summer and post-holiday periods indicate a tendency among some employees to slack off during times when they may feel less motivated. He advised that while tracking every minute of an employee’s day can be tempting, focusing on results and output might be a more effective approach to evaluating productivity.
As remote work becomes a staple in many industries, the challenge for employers will be to balance effective monitoring with trust, ensuring that productivity tools are used in ways that support rather than undermine flexible working arrangements.