Putting Surveillance Cameras in the Workplace: Is it Ethical?

The idea of whether it is ethical to put surveillance cameras in the workplace automatically calls attention to how people can react to a wrong choice of words.

A security camera, for example, conveys the idea that a company has put forth some expense in installing cameras for the worker's own safety. "Surveillance," on the other hand, seems to imply a more condemning and disrespectful attitude.

Is it ethical to keep employees under surveillance as if the workplace had been transformed into some militarized Gestapo setting? Read on to address the ethics of putting surveillance cameras in the workplace.

The Impact on Teamwork

Quite simply, putting surveillance cameras in the workplace allows employers to find out who works and who doesn't. Surveillance in this sense still falls within the bounds of ethical treatment since it encourages teamwork.

No employee wants to feel as if they are doing all the work while a coworker is playing computer games all day. Surveillance cameras in the workplace can actually make everyone happier because they encourage everyone to work hard.

The Impact on Safety

Referring back to the way that words can influence a worker's sensibilities, surveillance cameras in the workplace might appear to be some negative thing. In fact, however, a surveillance camera is just another name for a security camera.

Think of the unwillingness of coworkers to argue among themselves if they know employers are watching them. Surveillance cameras in the workplace put an end to violence and even sexual misconduct, making the job more enjoyable.

The Impact on the Company

Finally, surveillance cameras in the workplace can be considered ethical because they benefit the company. This might seem like a contradiction and raises the question: "ethical for whom?"

Certainly, employers are going to benefit from having surveillance cameras in the workplace because these create a hard working staff of workers. Additionally, however, don't the workers benefit when the company benefits?

It is when productivity increases that raises in salary can be given. Surveillance cameras in the workplace create a positive atmosphere since everyone knows they are working at peak performance and enjoying the natural benefits which are derived from this.

In sum, putting surveillance cameras in the workplace can appear to be unethical and even intimidating. But when you consider the beneficial impact on teamwork, safety, and the company itself, surveillance cameras in the workplace are really a good thing.