Workplace Surveillance

Workplace surveillance is the act of monitoring and watching the actions of employees and others that enter the workplace area. This form of surveillance has been done for centuries. Workplace surveillance can be done in many ways which may include but are not limited to electronic surveillance such as CCTV, online activity monitoring or in person by employers or other employees. There are many reasons why surveillance occurs in the workplace. The reasons may include to make sure all employees are doing the work they are supposed to be completing. Making sure that there is no form of violence, harassment, or discrimination occurring at the workplace. However, the focus of this research paper is how electronic surveillance in the workplace is

Phone tapping is the action of listening to conversations that are being done by employees while at work. This form of surveillance is done especially in workplaces where a lot of phone communications occur, such as telecoms and office work, to insure the employee is doing the job correctly (Bryant 1995). Furthermore, it may be also done to make sure there is no harassment or unneeded conversations happening not only by the employee but the person on the other line. Additionally, another form of phone surveillance is when employers are aware of the length of the conversation that is being conducted. Also, it is possible for the employer to know the recipient of the conversation (McLaughlin 1989). This can help protect employees and evidence can be saved if needed. Correspondingly, this form of surveillance may be linked with the panopticon by Bentham, an English Philosopher. This is due to the fact that the employee is aware of the observation that is being done, but does not know when this surveillance is being conducted. This is similar to the panopticon because prisoners know there could be guards in the watchtower, but they do not know when they are watching them and for how long (Bryant