"1984" Big Brother in the Workplace?
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George Orwell published his classic social science-fiction novel “1984” over sixty years ago. We all know the theme from high school English literature class. The world is embroiled in perpetual war, and government practices pervasive surveillance and mind-control to manage citizens. The main character, Winston Smith, is responsible for re-writing history to fit government’s ideology when he rebels against “Big Brother.”
I am not suggesting something as sinister as “Big Brother” is alive and well today. I am suggesting surveillance technology in the workplace is expanding and being used in new and different ways.
Bloomberg Businessweek reports an increase in the number of employers using the surveillance services of private detective agencies, to catch employees who abuse sick leave and play hooky from work. “Kronos, a workforce productivity firm in Chelmsford, Mass., recently found that 57 % of U.S. salaried employees take sick leave days when they are not really sick-a nearly 20 % increase from statistics gathered between 2006 and 2008.”
Detectives reportedly uncovered a teacher who fabricated an inoperable brain tumor to take an extended leave, firefighters caught attending a hockey game on-duty, and a health-care worker taking three days off for the flu, who was actually visiting Universal Studios theme park. Employees were found to use technology to cover their location, such as the employee who mailed his GPS tracker to the hotel where he was supposed to be attending a conference, while he had opted for an exotic vacation. It appears there is a thriving business for detectives, hired by employers to stop employee sick-leave abuse.
A different kind of surveillance is being used by the Burnsville, Minnesota, Police Department, which allows police officers to record citizen contacts with the help of body cameras. They are the first police agency in the state to purchase and equip its officers with this new technology, which includes a camera worn on their hat, and a portable computer where recordings are stored. The department reports, “The cameras will cut down on officers working overtime to testify in court because the video will speak for them in many cases. And there will be a lot fewer personnel hours spent investigating complaints against officers.”
As new technology is developed, employers will have to intentionally review their potential use and determine how it fits into their workplace philosophy. To the extent employers notify employees about core values and workplace expectations, and advise employees that misconduct will not be tolerated, then surveillance may not be viewed as “Big Brother” watching over their shoulders. Instead, it will be viewed as a means of holding employees accountable.
