Use of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in the Workplace :: Workplace Privacy Essays

Use of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in the WorkplaceIntroductionThe next extension approaching adulthood has a new challenge growing up during the technological revolution and believing being monitored is way of life. Generation Y, as they argon termed, allow grow up thinking it is normal for video cameras to be on every street corner, at work, automatic teller machines, and one mean solar day in every home as a security device. They may grow up having Big companion in the workplace applying constant nip on them to prove they are productive. A 1998 survey of 1,085 corporations conducted by the American Management Association shows more than 40 percent engaged in any(prenominal) kind of intrusive employee monitor. Such monitoring includes checking of e-mail, voice mail and telephone conversations recording of computer keystrokes and video recording of job performance (Doyle p. 1). My goal is to tell the working population about electronic monitoring. The question I s trive to answer, Will employees be monitored on closed circuit television (CCTV) to determine their productiveness or worth to the company and does this violate their privacy?Information needed to understand the problem Big Brother in the WorkplaceBig Brother is the term used to describe the intent to monitor individuals for any potential wrongdoing. See Philip in Figure 1, who voluntarily installed a web cam in his office. What will it be like to live in a future where this is the norm? It is important to understand what closed circuit television is, what video surveillance is, and who is using the technology. What is closed circuit television (CCTV)?Closed circuit television is defined as a television system that transmits images on a closed loop-the-loop basis, where images are only available to those directly connected to the contagion system. The transmission of CCTV images may involve the use of coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, telephone lines, infrared, and radio tran smission systems (CCTV Definitions).What is video surveillance?Video surveillance is defined as surveillance by CCTV for direct visual monitoring and/or recording of activities on set forth or in a place (CCTV Definitions).Why is video surveillance used in the workplace?Most companies implement video cameras to prevent thievery or corporate espionage avoid legal problems due to employee actions, or to raise employee productivity. However, the potential for misuse is huge if the security staff does not implement guidelines. We rarely notice video cameras mounted near the entrances or exits of our offices, above coffee machines, or near copiers until we enter the security office and see the CCTVs monitoring the places we frequent during a regular business day.