How Technology is Changing Privacy Issues in the Workplace!

1. How Technology is Changing Privacy Issues in the Workplace! Article: Julie Cook Presenter: Neepa Mistry

2. George Orwell’s Novel • Orwell penned his futuristic classic 1984 almost half a century ago with the depiction of late 20th century. • During that time, readers were frightened by Orwell’s depiction and considered the novel a work of fiction.

3. Government Spying: • People always had the idea of a government spying its citizen, but technology of the last few years has made such intrusion much easier. • But Americans are not crying about the government spying its citizen, they are more annoyed of being spied at the workplace.

4. Why is this an Issue? • Lewis Maltby, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s (ACLU) workplace Rights Project in New York city says that “spying is lot easier and cheaper than it used to be.” • According to the studies by the ACLU – 8 million Americans were subject to some form of work place surveillance in 1991. • That number ballooned to 30 million in 1999.

5. Yes, You are Being Watched: • 35% of companies monitor their employees by reviewing computer files or e-mails, video taping them on the job, or listening to their phone-calls.

6. No Legal Precedence…..Yet! • Thousands of lawsuits have sprung up as workers claim their employers have invaded their privacy. • At this point, all lawsuits are handled on a case-to-case basis because there is no overriding federal law that deals with workplace privacy issue.

7. So What is an Employer to do? • With the proliferation of lawsuits being filed, many employers are hesitant to put anything in place that might provoke claims of invasion of privacy. • Before a company embarks on some policy or method of surveillance it’s important that they consult with a lawyer. • So the obvious answer for the employer is taking the obvious, up-front approach.

8. The Obvious, Up-Front Approach • Employers must clarify with all employees about the workplace policies and procedures by saying things such as: • ‘Keep in mind that the locker belongs to the company and we can take a look at it whenever we want.’ • Keep in mind that the e-mail can only be utilized for company-related purpose and that we have the right to go into your e-mail.’

9. Guess Example: • At Guess Inc., in Los Angeles, approximately 25 high-speed cameras have videotaped actions of the company’s 1,000-plus employees for more than five years. • The location of the cameras are pointed out to Guess employees during new-hire orientation.

10. Savings Due to Surveillance: • Since the company began using cameras for monitoring its employees, Guess has saved approximately $20 million in worker’s compensation. • Workplace theft at Guess has also decreased. • And an improved safety record has helped Guess set nine world records for workplace safety.

11. The Security Check is in the Mail: • The proliferation of e-mail in today’s workplace has led 62% of companies to prepare written e-mail policies. • The personal use of e-mail has resulted in a growing concern over its misuse. • Although employees typically complain about their e-mail being monitored, employers feel that is really no different than any other workplace infringement.

12. Waiting for Federal Privacy Laws: • Opinions vary on whether or not a federal mandate would resolve the debate over workplace privacy. • ACLU has vowed to continue its efforts to convince Congress to update federal privacy laws.

13. Meanwhile……. • ACLU’s director Maltby says, “there’s no point of lobbying Congress now, they’re not interested in the subject, but someday they will be, and when they are, we’ll be there.”