Privacy Laws Vs. Surveillance Needs

Hidden cameras invade most the aspects of our life now. Whether we know it or not, we are under constant supervision by cameras and surveillance systems around business world. It comes as no surprise to most of use when a business chooses to utilize hidden spy cameras to keep tabs on who is all within their building and what they are doing. Employee surveillance is currently a subject that is being widely debated around the business world. Employees are claiming that their rights are being violated by the use of hidden cameras ,and business owners are claiming they have a right to protect themselves and the consumers by placing these cameras throughout their business establishment.

Both sides have a valid point. It is in the company's best interest to protect both it's equipment and intellectual properties, but the employee has rights as a everyday civilian to their privacy which in turn is protected by law. To break these laws could cause the business to become shut down. Lets use some examples of these concepts in action and we'll determine which side has a more valid argument. The first instance will deal with intellectual property. A lot of companies employee software into their computers and keep watch over the employees daily tasks. They watch to make sure employees are not abusing their email systems or leaking valuable information outside of the company to potential buyers or other companies.

The companies want to make sure the employees are not abusing their network. Most employees enjoy to use the computers and internet access for personal reasons such as: downloading movies, games, mp3s, browsing other websites. Some of these employees even do this on a daily basis which can seriously harm their work ethic and in turn the businesses rate of production. These companies that wish to resolve this problem, install within their computers special software that they in turn use for tracking the activities of their employees while at work. This software alerts the system managers about various different actions that the complaint deems inappropriate and aids the company in controlling the work ethics of their employees.

This is a very important concern for companies who do not want to have their information leaked outside of their network. Companies such as design teams and companies that might be attempting to market a brand new item. Another example would be someone sending a movie script over the net to another person ruining the plans of a new movie that is about to start production. Also some people stealing a company's ideas and send them out to other companies, expecting to receive payment for these ideas and plans. This is looked on as a very traitorous activity. So in all the above situations, surveillance is very useful. The next example is inside of a restaurant. Lets say you place an order for a meal.

On the way back to the table, the waiter spits in your drinks and serves them. The waiter is then called to the manager's office and fired due to a small hidden camera being place inside of the workplace that witnessed him commit such an act. In this instance surveillance is also important. Any place that deals with large sums of cash such as banks and casinos also are in need or surveillance equipment. They not only must watch over their work place for the safety of the employees, but must also place security devices throughout it in order to make sure no money is stolen away from them. All these show that the employees are fighting a losing battle against surveillance in the workplace.