Surveillance Systems For Business For Monitoring Employees
Business surveillance systems are defined as close supervision, inspection or observation of a person, group of people, location or process. Previously surveillance was associated with police or military actions when a suspect or suspicious activities were being monitored. However, various types of business surveillance systems have made close monitoring of employees and their activities, along with the actual business facility more common place in today’s workplace.
In fact, most people say they expect a certain amount of surveillance of their actions when in public. There are different kinds of surveillance systems for business that allow a variety of forms of monitoring to occur.
One type of surveillance is the closed circuit monitoring camera like what is used in banks and retail establishments. In the past the video camera surveillance system used for recording the activity in a store were obvious and you could see them. With modern technology (including wireless options); the cameras are easily concealed. Hidden cameras can be place in inconspicuous locations such as ceilings, dressing rooms, restrooms and other secret places.
These hidden cameras are now being used in settings where they never were before. Some interstates and highways use them to catch traffic violations. In some locations, when a person exceeds the speed limit, a camera takes a still shot of the vehicles license plate, and the driver is mailed a ticket. Cities and towns have begun using surveillance as a means of documenting the events on streets and sidewalks.
Another type of relatively new business surveillance systems being used is the monitoring of computer activities by employees. Software to track an employee’s computer and phone activities is relatively inexpensive and easy to use. Employee Internet management as it is called; is leading to a new large scale industry.
Small business is also utilizing the technology. Workplaces are being equipped with phone recording devices, closed circuit cameras, and continuous computer surveillance. Often employees are not even aware they are being watched. Suspicious activity is not required to initiate the monitoring either. All employees are being scrutinized, at all times. This has led to an increased number of employees being terminated for misuse of company equipment and conducting personal or questionable activities on company time.
Laws to govern all of this video monitoring have been slow to catch up with its use. In states where “at will” employment laws prevail; there is little employees can do. Basically, an employer employs someone on their terms, and as long as labor laws are not broken, they can use digital video surveillance systems to monitor employees if they like. There are few (if any) laws that protect the privacy of employees if they desire to continue working for a company that uses the systems.
While the use of business surveillance systems has advantages such as increased profit margins and production; it does pose ethical issues. The breakdown of employer/employee relations leads to issues such as poor communication, decreased employee morale and loyalty. Employees state that it “ads a level of stress and anxiety” to their jobs. It is unlikely though that those using surveillance systems for business monitoring will decrease or stop utilizing them. Small business views surveillance monitoring as a good investment (that is not expensive), yet yields high results in terms of overhead reduction, lost productivity and increased profits.
