Workplace Surveillance Rules and Laws

Want to know the general rules and principles for camera, email, internet surveillance in the workplace then here is a convenient summary in lay terms. refer to the WORKPLACE SURVEILLANCE ACT 2005 (NSW) for full details or your legal practitioner for specific advice.

What is ok:

* It is ok to have cameras at work. The just need to be obvious and not hidden and employees need 14 days prior written notice before you can use them. See Section 10 of the Act.
* It is ok for computer surveillance to safeguard your data, networks, resources and information. See Section 12 of the Act that confirms you need to have a policy about this and employees need to have advance notice and expect it will occur, so I suggest send them an email policy and notice and let them know it is continuous and ongoing.
* It is ok for vehicle tracking and like the above you need to simply make employees aware and also have a notice on the vehicle which can be as simple as a sticker in the cabin.

What is not ok:

* You cannot have cameras in toilets, showers, change rooms. see Section 15 of the Act.
* You cannot use hidden camera UNLESS you have covert surveillance authority, which is possible to establish unlawful activity. See section 20 of the Act.
* You cannot use surveillance for employee performance monitoring.
* You cannot block internet or email access, see Section 17 of the Act. Except you CAN if you have a policy about it. so why not write a quick policy if you wish to prevent access to facebook, twitter, etc.

Hope this general summary is a help. Good luck protecting your assets, systems, information and employee time.