The topic of using video surveillance in the workplace includes legal and practical implications of balancing and managing the legitimate needs of the company to protect assets and safeguard employee privacy. Because filming often implicates privacy rights, there are different things you should know before you adopt this technology. Read on to learn the legal tips and methods to use when you decide to install workplace video surveillance.
Workplace Monitoring and Legal Restrictions
Workplace monitoring includes various state laws and constitutional provisions regarding employees’ rights to privacy. While you may need to safeguard your business interests, you need to ensure that the employees know that they are being monitored. Depending on your jurisdiction, you should know the laws and the restrictions placed on workplace monitoring. The intrusion of privacy is an offense that can lead to lawsuits, so you need to consult your attorney first before you install cameras in your workplace. Always bear in mind that employees have a right to privacy and this can precede other decisions. You should also understand the provisions of the laws and exceptions provided to ensure that your business will not face lawsuits.
Productivity Monitoring
Managing multiple employees can be challenging since you cannot watch the activities of each individual all the time. Fortunately, you can use employee monitoring software to check the activities of workers who do computer-based work. You can manage productivity with https://www.workpuls.com/ if you’re looking to gain insight into what each employee is doing during their working hours. With the right software, you’ll be able to evaluate how your employees use their time and website usage; you’ll then be able to better optimize their work schedules, based on the trends you notice and monitor their overall productivity.
While electronic communications in the workplace come with many advantages, employees often abuse the technology. For instance, an employee’s personal use of the internet during working hours can greatly affect productivity and profitability. In some cases, employee misuse of digital media can place the company at risk of data breaches such as copyright infringement, defamation, or other forms of improper conduct.
Video Monitoring/Surveillance
Most employers use video surveillance to monitor the activities of the workers in the workplace to reduce misconduct. With video monitoring, you will get first-hand evidence that is difficult to challenge. However, you need to consider state laws before you consider video surveillance. You must use this technique where there is a legitimate justification to prevent workplace theft, monitor employee performance, prevent violence, and cases of sexual abuse. Place video cameras in strategic positions to avoid intrusion of employee privacy.
It is crucial to obtain employee consent to video surveillance. You should try to install visible cameras or inform the workers if you intend to use hidden cameras, so they know what is happening around them. In areas where employees have reasonable expectations of privacy like bathrooms, dressing rooms, locker rooms, and other places deemed private, do not use video surveillance. If your workplace is unionized, you cannot use cameras to monitor their activities. It is vital to treat the information you get from video surveillance as confidential and limit access to security or management personnel. More importantly, make sure all the employees who use this technology are adequately trained. Read more here
For How Long Do You Want to Store the Footage?
Another crucial aspect you should take into consideration is the time you want to store your footage. If you are convinced that there is no incident to warrant the storage of the footage, you can delete it. However, you need to disclose the details to the employees, and they should also know how long you keep your video records. If the employees know that you use video surveillance in your operations, they will positively change their behavior. There may be no need for you to hide something from the workers.
Monitoring Employee Location
Location monitoring can also include the use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) which uses satellites for transmission of signals to GPS receivers. When you are in the transportation business, you can use GPS together with video surveillance, where cameras are installed inside the vehicle. With this system, you can check what each driver is doing at a certain time, and it also helps you pinpoint their location. You can also use the system to monitor the speed of the vehicle. This technology helps improve safety and increase productivity.
There are many benefits you can get from adding video surveillance to your workplaces such as increased employee productivity, improved safety, and theft prevention. However, it is imperative to check your state’s laws before installing this technology to ensure you will not violate your employees’ privacy.
