Is Constant CCTV Monitoring of Office Staff Justified or Invasive? Let's Discuss

Dear Friends,

This may be a new topic for you, but the practice is quite old. I have seen in many small companies that the management has fixed cameras in every cabin, walkways, and even microphones.

I could not decipher what tangible benefits it yields for an organization? Is it a healthy habit to watch the bodily movements of staff who are working? It could be understandable if such monitoring was done in a works facility. But I am discussing cases where the activities of office staff are viewed on the camera...

Please share your thoughts on this topic.

Take care!
Debashis

Dear Ravi,

Thanks for your comments. It seems nobody else is interested in this topic, or has no experience with it, or doesn't want to speak out.

Even my company has this facility, and it's a limited financial firm. I think if you take this in the right spirit, then it's really useful to monitor an organization for security purposes. It depends on the person how they will take this.

Regards,
Vandana Singh
Manager-HR

Dear Vandana,

I do understand the reasons for installing cameras for security purposes, but they should be at strategic locations and not fitted inside each and every cabin of every staff and employee. Also, for security, your organization must be having security personnel deployed at the entrances and exit gates. What would you say if the MD/ED watches you and other staff through the cameras while sitting in his cabin? Is he in any way doing any productive work? Is that the way of leading an organization? Does that make the employees feel closer to the organization? Do you think if the MD/ED stops watching them on cameras and goes away, the employees would stop working?

My topic was just to discuss the pros and cons of this activity... and not justify any action...

Anyways... thanks for your comments...

Take care! Debashis

Dear Debu,

You are taking me in the wrong manner. In my company, it's installed everywhere, even in my HR department. I told you it's up to each individual how they want to perceive this. In my company, we have around 650 employees sitting in the head office, and our Managing Director/Executive Director/CEO don't have time to monitor everyone's activities. However, if any misconduct occurs, we can review the recordings and come to a conclusion. You may find the Managing Director/Executive Director observing individuals through cameras in smaller organizations. So, please do not misunderstand. You are right, everything has its pros and cons. It's up to the individual how they choose to interpret it.

Cheers! Vandana

Hello,

Interesting topic. It has become common nowadays. My previous company had cameras installed. It's basically for security, and also for monitoring activities (I wonder if half of them work at all). But it gives you a sense of feeling that you are being noticed for actions and that directs your brain - not to indulge in wrongful activities. I don't think negative feelings will be created.

Big department stores or shops also have cameras - not just for employees, but also to watch customers. Employees will provide good service, and customers will be careful too.

Well, on a different note - if girls are aware of being watched through cameras... I guess they will pay extra attention to what they are wearing or doing. Sensible girls will be careful.

Take care!

CCTV is a good thing if you see its pros and cons. I wish it should not be installed in ladies' toilets; otherwise, that toilet voyeur will become public. Jokes apart, if a person is committed to work at the workplace, he will be rewarded as it should be, whether CCTV is there or not. But especially, "Escapist" may please be careful, it is meant for you and you only - you are being watched. For the future, it may cause some problems in that organization (e.g., your promotion, etc.).

Shrawan Kumar