Thursday, June 18, 2009

Workplace Surveillance

Lecture Notes - Metaphors and Culture

According to our professor's lecture notes, those who adopt a critical approach "view organizations as instruments of domination that further the interests of a small elite at the expense of all others." Also accordingly, workplace surveillance is an example of this domination.

Although I wouldn't consider the guard checking my purse before I leave for the day as domination, I can see how such things as managers putting microphones in the staff lounge or making their prospective employees submit to lie or drug tests as systems of domination.

I agree with critical theorists who argue "that such surveillance is intrusive and causes employees' social and mental stress." After all, who really wants to feel like they are being watched all the time? In addition, how are employees supposed to be creative and autonomous in their decision making if they feel their employers aren't really giving them the freedom they need to accomplish their tasks?

Lately I feel like the tables have turned for some corporations regarding surveillance in this economic crisis we are having. For the first time, upper management is feeling what it is like for their every move to be assessed and scrutinized. Although I think some survillance is needed for safety purposes, I think if a company has a good system of checks and balances for their entire organization, then overwhelming surveillance is not needed.

1 comment:

  1. TM said...
    I agree with you that workplace surveillance is an example of domination by those in power on those employees without the power. Secret surveillance done without the consent or knowledge of the employees can violate the Privacy Rights and companies that get caught doing such surveillance activities may end up fighting a costly legal battle.

    But like you said, surveillance is necessary for safety purposes. In fact, it is necessary for certain industries to maintain their trade secrets, trademarks, confidential data/products, research, etc. that can pose much greater harm if not protected. For example, a nation's defense system, nuclear/biological/pharmaceutical research, expensive technology gadget productions do require close monitoring of the workplace. A company must do rigorous evalution and analysis before adopting their survelliance policies and methods. They must get thorough legal consultation about all their surveillance decisions and methods. Communicating the company's surveillance philosophy and practices to the affected employees is a critical organizational communication step that all companies must take with regular updates of any future changes.

    ReplyDelete