Audio Surveillance at work?

Question

Can an employer in Washington state use an audio surveillance device without the employees knowledge?

The private conversations are not being recorded, but it still makes me angry that he is invading my privacy without telling me...

What kind of recourse do I have?

i have seen the microphone...

I was not making a personal phone call at all...i was speaking with a co-worker about work issues. And the object is weather or not the employer can listen in on those worker to worker conversations leagally. And no...he does not record telephone calls. The object in question is a wireless intercom system cleverly hidden under a work bench.

Answer 1

Everyone is partially wrong.

The majority of states do not allow "covert" audio recording in public workplaces, public areas, public stores, etc. All that is needed to make it legal is visible signage, a signed agreement, or an authorized investigation by a legal authority.

Many employeers are now including their workplace audio recording information in their new employee handbooks that are signed and dated. In retail stores, signage is visibly posted to make customers aware of the stores audio recording.

Audio and surveillance can still not be used in areas where a customer or employee expects a "certain degree of privacy". This is usually limited only to the restrooms. Business owners have all right to outfit the rest of the business with as much surveillance and audio (if done legally) as they wish. As an employee of your company, the cubicle or office you sit in, and the lunchroom that you use are owned by the business and not your personal area. Thus, surveillance and audio can be used if done legally.

If your employeer has outfitted an audio recording system without signage and without making you aware and you are looking to confront the authorities, you need to at the very least take a picture of the recording device any you may be able to get lucky. The laws in place regarding audio recording are mainly there to protect you in court cases, making the audio evidence inadmissable in court unless it was gathered legally. If you go to the authorities to complain about illegal audio recording in your workplace, it would be very difficult to prove it. Your picture of the recording device will give you limited evidence since the authorities need to insure that the device is indeed recording and then go through a process of obtaining a warrant to further investigate the case onsite at your employeer.

Answer 2

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RE:
Audio Surveillance at work?
Can an employer in Washington state use an audio surveillance device without the employees knowledge?

The private conversations are not being recorded, but it still makes me angry that he is invading my privacy without telling me...

What kind of recourse do I have?

Answer 3

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With today's integrated security solutions, both video surveillance and audio surveillance can be leveraged for higher levels of verification and risk management. Intercoms, for example, once acted as stand-alone units that simply linked rooms or facilities together. Now, they are being integrated with other systems, such as access control and alarms, to provide added intelligence and increased security. Adding audio into the surveillance mix provides the ability to respond to events in a more intelligent and efficient manner. It also creates a more complete audit trail for investigation purposes. If you are on your employer's property then it is legal for them to moniter employees in any way they see fit, with the exception of the restrooms. I understand thet this can be disturbing to know that all your conversations may be subject to scrutiny but, you are paid by your employer and they have the right to know that you are abiding by the company policies.

Answer 4

I don’t know about specific laws in Washington but generally a person can use any type of surveillance on there property with out the consent of the people on the property except of course in the bathroom or any other place where privacy is normally expected (during sex or wile in a changing room)

Answer 5

Audio with video is illegal in most states. Video with audio is not, and audio without video is not. You can not do both together. Best to check with feds, about wiretapping. They can and will give you all the true facts. The state I am from, all I said applies, you need to check in your state. If it turns out the employer is doing this and it is against the law, get proof first, then file charges.

Answer 6

I would have a lot of fun with this. I'd be talking about how good the bosses wife/husband is in the sack. Or how you stole a bunch of money out of the bosses wallet when no one was looking. All kinds of things to make them look like a jackass. If you know where the mics are located, place a remote control fart machine close to it. Or blow a loud whistle into it every time you go past. Play real crappy music into it. The list goes on and on. Have fun with it.

Answer 7

I'd have to wonder why my employee, whom I am paying to WORK for me, is having private conversations on company phones and on company time.

This is why phone monitoring in the workplace has become more and more prevalent. Please keep in mind that you should not be making personal phone calls from work unless you are on your break or at lunch. Many company's actually provide a separate phone just for the use of the employee who might need to make a call during break time.

Answer 8

If you have not been told about it how do you know about it?