Security camera mini-rant

[sumi]

My boss decided for some reason they won't discuss with us that they're putting security cameras up all over the work place. We haven't had any problems with theft, didn't get up to anything they should be worried about. But one morning we got to work and found this electric eye sitting on the kitchen ceiling watching us. And another one and two more.
The problem I have with this set-up is, apart from hating being filmed or photographed, I'm not comfortable being watched by these things all the time. And I keep forgetting they are there... Gone suddenly are the little private spots, away from the customers and co-workers where we can scratch awkward itchy spots, adjust wardrobe malfunctions... you know. Do things you do when no-ones watching

Now the days are full of awkward moments. Like when I blow my nose and make sure I do a good job cleaning up after myself and suddenly remember... You get the picture. Unfortunately so does the camera!
And before you ask why we don't just go to the bathroom. We have ONE. For all of us and the customers. It's the most popular spot in the place.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Oh my, that's no fun. i suppose they are trying to prevent theft and make sure everyone is doing their job. But there are certain things a person must do (scratch, pick) that shouldn't be recorded for posterity. i hate having my picture taken, sympathize completely.

One bathroom?

 

[cassie]

I'd start looking for a new job. I know the job market stinks, but some things just aren't worth putting up with. If they have put up mini cams with your knowlege, what are they doing without your knowlege?

 

[Leavingegypt]

We have security cameras @ the church where I work. We have all the safe zones, angles the camera doesn't reach, mapped out for just that reason. Sadly we have caught people stealing outside of the building. My office is a safe zone thank goodness

 

[SacCityChickens]

I just retired from 25 years in Folsom Prison, sounds like work to me!lol!
I feel you, I never got used to it
Good luck
SCC

 

[SillyChicken]

We have them where I work. It's mostly for soxx compliance, and theft deterrent. Luckily, I'm the one in charge of the cameras! But, I never watch anyone (except the outside cleaning crew on occ). Otherwise, we don't just sit there and watch anyone and there is only a few months stored at a time.

We don't have them in the lunch room or restrooms... so people can at least eat in peace!

 

[dewey]

Many years ago it became fairly typical here, especially in restaurants and clubs/bars. Owners would come in and either pick up or watch the previous day's videos, or have me do it.

I'd rather have no cams, yet I preferred having the cams over having fretful owners sitting there in person eyeballing everybody and cramping everybody's style, from the wait staff to the patrons. When one establishment that I worked at years ago put them up after never before having them, the regular patrons & staff despised it and patrons spent a lot of time at first acting out their disapproval for the cam eyes.

 

[un-named543]

Any chance there have been complaints about staff behavior and the cameras are there to catch em doing things wrong?

 

[hemet dennis]

I have no problem with cameras and have seen some places that have fake ones.

 

[sumi]

Nothing, unless you count the boss's horror of an aunt who came to visit, nearly caused half the staff to walk out and suggested they put cameras up to watch us.
They even put one in our rest area where we have meals and tea breaks. Everyone's upset about it.
Apparently the boss was supposed to talk to us about the cameras and put signs up warning customers that they are watched. They didn't say a thing. Waited until we all went home and did it late in the evening when no-one was around. Did they think we won't notice it?