Use of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in the Workplace Introduction The next generation approaching adulthood faces a new challenge; growing up during the technological revolution and believing that being monitored is a way of life. Generation Y, as they are called, will grow up thinking that it is normal for cameras to be on every street corner, at work, at ATMs and one day in every home as a security device. They may grow up with “Big Brother” in the workplace putting constant pressure on them to prove they are productive. A 1998 survey of 1,085 companies conducted by the American Management Association shows that more than 40 percent of them engage in some type of intrusive employee monitoring. This monitoring includes checking your email, voicemail and telephone conversations; recording computer keystrokes; and video recording of work performance (Doyle p. 1). My goal is to inform the working population about electronic monitoring. The question I strive to answer is: “Will employees be monitored via closed-circuit television (CCTV) to determine their productivity or value to the company and will this violate their privacy?” Information You Need to Understand the “Big Brother in the Workplace” Problem “Big Brother” is the term used to describe the intent to monitor individuals for wrongdoing. See Philip in Figure 1, who voluntarily installed a web cam in his office. What will it be like to live in a future where this is the norm? It is important to understand what is closed circuit television, what is video surveillance and who uses this technology. "Closed-circuit television is defined as a television system that transmits images over a closed circuit" ', in which the images are available only to those who are directly connected to the transmission system CCTV images may involve of coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, telephone lines, infrared and radio transmission systems" (CCTV - Definitions). premises or in a place” (CCTV – Definitions). Why is video surveillance used in the workplace? Most companies implement video cameras to prevent theft or corporate espionage; avoid legal problems due to employee actions or increase employee productivity. However, the risk of abuse is huge if security personnel do not implement the guidelines. We rarely notice cameras mounted near the entrances or exits of our offices, above coffee machines or near photocopiers until we enter the security office and see CCTV cameras monitoring the places we frequent during a normal working day.