Video Surveillance Monitors Behavior at Work

It has become expected that video cameras will be monitoring our patronage at banks, supermarkets, convenience stores and most any public place of business. What we may not expect to be recorded, however, is our activities in our own workspace. The number of employers using video surveillance in their buildings of employment is rapidly growing. Employers may be monitoring for safety purposes, but it doesn’t end there. Some companies are using security cameras to monitor the safety, effectiveness, professionalism and behavior of their employees. These recordings may even be used for evaluations or other management purposes. 

There are employees that understand the reasons behind employee surveillance. Employers aren’t there to “babysit” their hires, and need a record of the happenings within their company. Keeping a watchful eye on the workday means promoting productivity, ensuring safety and potentially curbing theft. These employees have acknowledged the fact that stepping into the workplace may mean leaving your expectation of privacy at the door. 

Some, however, are not so willing to give up their privacy. Concerns that video monitoring in the workplace is an invasion of the right to privacy has led to court cases involving the issue. The courts have yet to support this concern, however. Regulations on video monitoring in the workplace have been slim, stating that employees should not have a reasonable expectation in most locations in their workplace. 

However, some stipulations on employee video surveillance have been established. While employers can record the happenings in most areas of their buildings, if there is a reasonable expectation of privacy (i.e., a restroom or changing area) or if the cameras might record an off-duty employee, that location should not be recorded. They are also limited to video only; an audio recording would be an invasion of the employees expected privacy and is unnecessary. In all cases, to avoid miscommunications or potential problems, employers should inform their employees of any video surveillance and even offer a waiver to be signed by the hire.