Cameras in the Workplace

[TN_Vixen]

y'know they make these tiny cameras nowdays and it would be so simple for your employer to tag one in the corner of your office and check out your every move. I think about the times I'm sitting here online and smiling at my computer -- trust me, insurance isn't funny -- even if the boss wasn't monitoring my online activities, he'd know what was up from my little grins and chuckles, and from my glazed over look when reading those stories. (pant, pant)

Remember when Ross Perot admitted to video taping all of his employees? Little voyeur weasel. heh

I didn't like the idea then and don't like it now. I really don't think it should be a legal thing for an employer to do.

 

[miles]

There's one under your desk right now. Could you lean back juuust a little?

 

[Mensa]

Smile, you're on candid camera

Sorry, TNV, but it's already here! More and more companies use it for very legitimate reasons such as employee theft, dock "leakage"(theft from loading dock areas), general security etc.

I can readily understand your resentment but I'm afraid resistance is futile because their effectiveness has been well established and most employers will only allow their removal by removing them from their "cold, dead hands"

Not only that but already in an increasing number of locations outdoor cameras are being installed in the battle against street crime, not all of which are easily located.

The world of "Big Brother" is much closer than most people realize.

 

[Desert Amazon]

 

[teresafannin]

I work in a department store, so there are cameras everywhere. We don't have them in the fitting rooms to protect the shopper's privacy. We recently installed outdoor cameras to try to prevent so much vandalism. My store is located on a busy street, but the parking lot is down in a hollow. It is hard to see what goes on from the street & since the camera went up, vandalism is way down. I don't worry too much about being caught on camera, I am there to do a job & I do it very well.

 

[KillerMuffin]

See, TN, they monitor computer usage and they have cameras up to prevent large scale employee theft, like swindling etc. They also have it to prevent small scale employee theft. Like when you're sitting at your computer getting off to erotic stories when you're being paid to work. Unless your boss doesn't mind things like that, then it's not theft. They're far more interested in the employee in the cubicle next to you whose pirating credit card numbers than you whose just getting off, but the fact is that there just enough dishonest, untrustworthy people out there to make it stupid to not monitor employees.

The loss prevention person in the Wallyhell I work for said that there was well over 5 million dollars in loss last year in the district. Two thirds of that loss was accomplished by employees. If wallyhell could be considered the norm for large companies where employees have access to money or merchandise, then I'd say that business have a right to monitor employees during working hours where the employees are conducting business. If a fine person like you can steal a little thing like company time, then whats to stop a real crook from stealing more?

Sorry, darlin, it's their time, their money, their business, and it's not like you're doing anything that you should be embarrassed or ashamed of at work and it's not like you're actually stealing anything, so why should it bother you that they're protecting their investments? If you don't like the invasion of privacy, get a new job.

Big brother is a reality that isn't going to go away, it will only get worse and there isn't a thing anyone can do about it.

 

[cymbidia]

My little guy goes part time to a Montessori preschool and they have cams installed there for us to log in and check to see what's going on. Additionally, it relieves them of most of the burden of proof against the possibility of abuse charges if the place is taped all day, every day.

Cams are everywhere. They're a part of daily reality for all of us. Do your dirty deeds in appropriate places and you needn't worry about them.

 

[Never]

There does my fantasy of doing it in the back row of my office.

 

[KillerMuffin]

Just incorporate exhibitionism into it Neverkins. Pretend that the security guard watching the two of you and getting off to your gorgeous lovely play is a long, cool blonde drink of water hiking her dress up because she's fallen intensely and irresistably in love with your beautiful breasts and your magnificent technique. Remember, when you have this fantasy, bosses are too busy to look at security videos, they leave it to the totally hot female security peons.

 

[TN_Vixen]

KM & Co.

I understand the need for them in retail stores. I suppose I was thinking about the office perspective... and doing it simply to monitor employees' actions.

Maybe I'm just paranoid?

Everyone's watching me. I swear I think my new landlord has one installed in my shower.

 

[Mensa]

Re: KM & Co.

Everyone's watching me. I swear I think my new landlord has one installed in my shower. [/B]

Who told?

 

[KillerMuffin]

I was thinking about them in the office as well. The Navy had them everywhere when I worked in an office there and they didn't have much to do with money or merchandise. Dishonesty is everywhere.

 

[Texan]

just a thought

There was a presentation given at the annual Governor's Conference this week about government employee productivity. It was stated that, on average, a government office employee is only "productive" between 5% and 10% of their work day. They said employees with internet access are the LEAST productive group of employees.

During the presentation, there was a recomendation to provide internet access only at "standing" work stations in clear view of others in the office.

The CEO's of several major tech companies also made presentations (including the CEO's of SAP and Oracle). They said that internet access in the workplace probably requires a 25% increase in staff size to achieve the same level of productivity.

A specialist on "telecommuting" said that people who work from home on the computer claim to work average 12 hour days. But it is believed that the additional working hours are actually being spent online.

With statistics like this, no wonder companies are monitoring employee internet access and watching employees with cameras.
If the payroll was coming out of my pocket, I would be watching like a hawk.