CCTV Camera
As we go about our daily lives, we are constantly being observed. A CCTV camera is usually installed in a business or a shop with the intention of fighting crime, maybe to prevent an assault on someone, to protect your car from being stolen and things such as vandalism. A CCTV camera can make some people feel safer but some people do not like the idea, and feel that their privacy is being infringed upon. Being observed by the authorities was a concept that was predicted years ago by George Orwell in his 1984 novel. In his story, Big Brother was an oppressive regime and there has been much anxiety that we are going down that very same road.
A camera installed can certainly make you feel safer
Women sometimes feel a bit safer when they know that a CCTV camera is in place to keep an eye on them in dark places like in subways or in parking lots. Sometimes it is unfortunate that cameras cannot be installed in such remote areas where a lot of the more serious crimes happen. These cameras are no longer simple camera devices capable of recording footage from days gone by. In its place today, the modern camera is much more sophisticated, more stylish and even a bit smaller than the earlier models.
Some employees feel they do not have privacy at work
The loss of employee privacy in the workplace due to the use of CCTV surveillance cameras is a growing concern among employees. Employers in banks, telecommunications, hi-tech industries, and in other workplaces justify using video surveillance in the workplace to monitor employee behavior and to improve productivity, promote safety, and stop theft. They claim that protecting employee privacy must be a top concern. If the courts find that the employer’s surveillance methods are not adequate, his company might find itself knee-deep in lawsuits that could have been avoided had he had adequate surveillance cameras installed.
Some companies inform their employees of camera installation
According to a 2008 survey conducted in the UK, more than half of companies surveyed are noted to make use of video monitoring to prevent theft, violence and sabotage. Apparently these numbers are proving to be steadily growing as well, as more and more companies are installing CCTV cameras. About eighty five percent of the companies said that they notify their employees that there are cameras in the business. It has also been seen that employees are unaware of their privacy rights at the workplace and as more and more of them become aware of how they are being videotaped with the use of CCTV cameras, they are more likely to drag their employers to court.
It is all about balance in the workplace
Employers should be fully aware of the privacy risks associated with videotaping and monitoring employees so that the likelihood of litigation is reduced. Companies should also nurture a workplace environment where employees can voice privacy or security rights concerns in confidence with management. They should feel safe in knowing that their conversations are not being monitored. In short, if employers choose to use a CCTV camera in the workplace, it is essential that they adhere to written privacy rights guidelines that will keep employees in the office happy, with peace of mind, and a good feeling of being secure at all times.
Get quotes for cctv from 3Q today.