The Prohibition of Closed-Circuit Television Surveillance in Workplaces

The prohibition of closed-circuit television surveillance in workplaces

Closed-circuit television is a vigilant technology invented, in the first purpose, to observe V-2 rocket- the world’s first long-range guided ballistic missile. Mindful of its advantages, the United States government installed closed-circuit televisions along the main business street in Olean, New York, to deter crime. This utilization was several times worthier than increasing the size of police departments. Since then, closed-circuit television surveillance has become prevalent and been applied in various places. However, closed-circuit television installation in workplaces has been controversial since the very beginning. Some assert that closed-circuit television surveillance is needed for workforces’ protection while others argue that it results in less quality of work. Having been debated for a long time, closed-circuit television surveillance should be banned in workplaces.

Those who side with closed-circuit television installation in workplaces may assert that closed-circuit television surveillance can deter crime. To illustrate, it discourages co-workers to theft. Once employees plan to commit a theft, they will be realized that all the actions will be recorded and therefore too feared to put their thoughts into actions. Also, it discourages criminals to their full acts of robbery. Spotting closed-circuit televisions in the corner of the rooms, they know that they are being recorded. This awareness forces them to focus just on those closed-circuit televisions, and any possible severe actions and damages incurred can be decreased. However, it has been argued that closed-circuit television surveillance can just track the crime, but it cannot prevent the occurrences of crimes. To explain, co-workers who know the spots where the security cameras are installed can still commit a theft easily if they are well-prepared; they can play a trick with closed-circuit televisions or just steal things where the surveillance cannot reach. Moreover, when it comes to the robbery, it can just provide the evidences and record the incidents, but it cannot stop the robbery in progress.

Nevertheless, the supporters of closed-circuit television installation in workplaces have insisted that closed-circuit television surveillance is beneficial to promote the works. To illustrate, it can keep vigilance on employees’ inappropriate behaviors. For example, the employers can use the closed-circuit television surveillance to measure employees’ performances. If there are unexpected behaviors, they can correct them. Apart from that, closed-circuit televisions are used to maintain the work supplies in good condition and keep them ready-to-use. To be more specific, the employers know how much work supplies is used and when they will be used up; therefore, the works are supposed to be more effective.  However, this has been argued that closed-circuit television surveillance decreases the abilities of employees to work on assignments. To illustrate, closed-circuit televisions are symbolic of the employers’ eyes. So, employees may have a feeling of being watched all the time and response unnaturally. Instead of paying full attention to their works, they unavoidably feel paranoid. That fact decreases their effectiveness on their jobs.