MN501: Electronic Surveillance, Bodyguards & Ethical Considerations

This report addresses the ethical implications of electronic surveillance in a workplace setting, specifically focusing on a scenario involving a successful entrepreneur who installs cameras in his home and offices to monitor his bodyguards. The report examines the legal and ethical violations that may arise from such actions, including intrusion on privacy, potential for harassment, and misuse of personal information. It explores the bodyguards' right to privacy within the employer's premises, considering the balance between security needs and employee rights. The analysis delves into the impact of digital technologies on workplace ethics, emphasizing the importance of ethical guidelines and responsible monitoring practices to maintain a secure and respectful work environment. The report references relevant literature to support its arguments, providing a comprehensive overview of the complex ethical considerations involved in electronic surveillance and employee privacy.

Running head: MANAGEMENT
Ethical Do’s and Don’ts
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author Note:

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Table of Contents
Assignment 2: Electronic Surveillance and the Bodyguard.......................................................3
Question No 1:...........................................................................................................................3
Answer to Question No 1:......................................................................................................3
Question No 2:...........................................................................................................................4
Answer to Question No 2:......................................................................................................4
References..................................................................................................................................6

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Assignment 2: Electronic Surveillance and the Bodyguard
Question No 1:
Is Jon Violating any Law?
Answer to Question No 1:
The last few years especially the last decade has seen a rise in the use of computer
based digital technology in workplaces, schools, large institutions and even in private houses.
This shows the importance of digital based technologies that have provided an edge over the
traditional means of accessing the technologies [1]. The advancement in internet technology,
invention of the microchip based Nano technology has further expanded our reach. The
computer which started as a utilitarian tool has now been converted to a means of social
network that helps people to connect to each other. Thus computer based technology has
given rise to an all new and developed globe.
The case study has shown a young entrepreneur who has been successful in his life
and has bought a new 10 million dollar home. The entrepreneur has installed a number of
cam eras along with video recording all along his house and in the private quarters and
offices of the bodyguards. However, such an act of Jon can violate a number of laws
especially the ethical standards of the employment can be violated under such circumstances
[2]. There are many causes of action that the employees may rely upon in order to protect
against the overzealous employer surveillance. Such kinds of acts of Jon may violate a
number of factors that includes the likes of;
a. Unreasonable intrusion on the seclusion of the employees
b. Unreasonable and unethical intrusion on the privacy of the bodyguards
c. Public discourse of the major facts that may embarrass one in the public

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d. The publicity of the hidden private facts can lead to major harassment for the
bodyguards in the public
e. Inappropriate use of the name of the bodyguards for use in commercial purposes
All the above mentioned issues can be said to be equally problematic and Jon has been
constantly violating the laws by recording the video. The major violation can happen if Jon
uses this videos in a public place without any consent [2]. The privacy of the employees must
be kept intact in the private quarters while the video recording can be kept active in the office
as Jon has that right to monitor the activities of the bodyguards in their respective offices.
Question No 2:
Do the bodyguards have any right to privacy on Jon’s premises?
Answer to Question No 2:
Each and every employee have the right to privacy in their private quarters whether it
is located inside the workplace or outside it. However the bodyguards of Jon does not
basically have any privacy rights well and within the other areas of Jon’s premises. It is a
wise decision for Jon to install security cameras and recording devices within the offices of
the bodyguards as because such an act can help him to monitor the activities of their
bodyguards [3]. It also helps Jon to keep a tab on them on whether the employees are
violating any employment rights or not.
Many of the employees understand the need to monitor the workplace and generally
support the installation of the cameras. However, there is a negativity from the employees in
view of their most private moments getting recorded and captured [4]. The employees always
demand a certain amount of privacy and respect from their employers and most of the federal
and state laws support their acts. Jon thus needs to prove his legitimacy and reasonable need
for the installation of these cameras. The right to privacy of an employee in the workplace is

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one of the most controversial legal topic of the modern days. The over reliance of computer
and digital technologies have further given rise to this particular question. The bodyguards
does not have much strong privacy in Jon’s premises as Jon has the right to monitor all the
activities of the guards round the clock in order to ensure safety and security and also to
ensure the non-violation of any kind of laws. However Jon must not violate the ethical laws
of the employment policies that can lead to ethical issues. The private quarters approach can
be recorded but the recordings inside their quarters must not be carried on to provide the
workers a private space.
The innovation of the ground breaking modern technologies brings with it more
modern and responsibility to employers like Jon. As it is seen that the future workforce will
be monitored round the clock 24*7, therefore the monitoring system must follow a number of
ethical rules and regulations that can make the process more responsible [5]. There needs to
be a responsible approach by the employers as well as the employees in order to maintain a
safe and secured workplace environment.

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References
[1]R. Chory, L. Vela and T. Avtgis, "Organizational Surveillance of Computer-Mediated
Workplace Communication: Employee Privacy Concerns and Responses", 2020.
[2]D. Ford and M. Ludlum, "Employee Privacy outside the Workplace", Questia.com, 2020.
[Online]. Available: https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1P3-4305516561/employee-
privacy-outside-the-workplace. [Accessed: 29- Jan- 2020].
[3]M. Cortini, R. Bortune and S. Fantinelli, "Personnel Selection And Body Art. A Mix-
Method Study On Tattooed Job Candidates", Ijstr.org, 2020. [Online]. Available:
http://www.ijstr.org/paper-references.php?ref=IJSTR-0919-22544. [Accessed: 29- Jan-
2020].
[4]K. Dau-Schmidt, M. Finkin and R. Covington, "Legal Protection for the Individual
Employee, 5th edition", Digital Repository @ Maurer Law, 2020. [Online]. Available:
https://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/facbooks/150/. [Accessed: 29- Jan- 2020].
[5]S. W.P, "Can we borrow your phone? Employee privacy in the BYOD era.", ournal of
Information, Communication and Ethics in Society., 2020. [Online]. Available:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321046748_Can_we_borrow_your_phone_Employ
ee_privacy_in_the_BYOD_era. [Accessed: 29- Jan- 2020].