| When most people think of security cameras and who | | | | Another common problem is for personal information |
| they are recording footage of may think of a burglar | | | | that is gathered from the camera systems when an |
| or unauthorized person who enters or attempts to | | | | employee is captured on them being used for |
| enter a building. In many cases it is not only the | | | | commercial purposes. It is also illegal for any form of |
| unknown that is being looked at but also the known; | | | | security camera system in the workplace to be used |
| many companies will use the systems to keep a | | | | for audio and visual purposes, it is also not allowed to |
| careful and watchful eye over their employees. | | | | record verbal/audio in the surveillance footage. A good |
| Cameras can be positioned in areas which would be | | | | employer will be aware of the legislation and laws |
| considered vulnerable to catch anyone who is an area | | | | surrounding hidden camera use and will abide by these |
| or doing something that is not allowed. | | | | guidelines, as an employee it is worth making yourself |
| It is considered a necessity to have cameras in some | | | | aware of the laws as well. |
| institutions and buildings used to monitor the staff, | | | | If you are an employer and considering the installation |
| places such as banks, government buildings, hi-tech | | | | of a hidden security camera system then there are |
| industries and testing facilities would be common place | | | | some guidelines you will need to follow to ensure that |
| and the employees would expect the cameras to be | | | | you keep on the right side of the law. It is also |
| in the buildings. It is however very important that the | | | | imperative that all the employees are consulted before |
| employer is careful about where and how they | | | | hand in writing about what you are installing and why, |
| monitor the staff, if the methods that are undertaken | | | | this letter for the employee should include a waiver to |
| are deemed intrusive then the employer could find | | | | sign so they acknowledge that they have been told. It |
| themselves in court. There are of course lots of very | | | | needs to be carefully laid out with the cameras in |
| good reasons as to why the employer would want to | | | | locations that would not be considered intrusive and |
| install hidden security cameras to monitor their | | | | breaking the guidelines, whilst all management should |
| employees; however it is now believed that the | | | | be aware of the privacy risks and briefed on the |
| privacy of employees in the workplace is becoming | | | | layout of the systems. A set of guidelines should be |
| intruded upon more and more often. | | | | drawn out for every employee outlining the privacy |
| There are a number of main issues that arise in cases | | | | policy and the rights that the employees have in |
| against the employer for miss use of hidden security | | | | respect of their privacy, whilst providing the case and |
| cameras and these include any form of monitoring in | | | | reasons for the installation. |
| private areas such as bathrooms and changing rooms. | | | | |