What rights do the employees have??
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What rights do the employees have??
I work for a small company and my employer is installing surveillance cameras in the hallways to watch the comings and goings of the employees (we have 3 full time and 1 part time). Our employer has had two unemployment cases in the last 8 months, and they are doing this to “lower their unemployment insurance.” The other employees and I feel that our rights are being violated because of this, and we do not want to be recorded constantly. If we were to make this known to our employer, what rights do we have?
Asked on May 13, 2009 under Employment Labor Law, Florida
Answers:
R.C., Member, Connecticut Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 15 years ago | Contributor
There is no Florida law forbidding video surveillance of employees at the workplace, as long as the surveillance is known to the employees or is obvious--and your employer has told you about it. There are laws in Florida forbidding "voyeur surveillance", that is, placing cameras in employee toilet stalls or changing rooms for example, just for the employer's "fun". I assume this is not the case here. If you and your coworkers object to the cameras, you can, of course, tell your employer that--but it probably won't do any good.
Your only recourse is to sue your employer in civil court for "invasion of privacy." It probably won't make you very popular with your boss, but you may prove a point...or not. Be sure talk to an attorney about your likelihood of success, and other ramifications of such an action, before you do anything. And don't discuss your intentions, whether to the boss, or around the workplace, or anywhere, whether you do decide to sue or not.
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