Video Surveillance by the Company

You work for a manufacturing company with a unionized workforce that would like to install some video surveillance equipment. The president has identified the following situations that could benefit from video surveillance and asks for your opinion about using video surveillance equipment in each:

(1) The company is located in a "tough neighborhood" and top management is worried about crime happening to employees. Already two employees have been robbed in the parking lot after working late.

(2) The company is also worried about crime committed by employees. In particular, there are suspicions that illegal drugs are being used or sold in the restrooms.

(3) The company would like to evaluate the efficiency of the manufacturing process, particularly the product work flow. A video tape of the factory floor would be most useful for the experts to analyze.

(4) The company is concerned that many employees are "goofing off" and a secret video surveillance system would help in developing the evidence to fire them.

(5) The president, a strong believer in "family values", is worried that one of the vice-presidents is having an affair with one of the company's outside accountants. It is suspected that the couple is meeting at a motel located across the street from the company. A video camera located on company property could easily keep a watch on the motel and provide proof, one way or the other, about this potential problem.