Case Scenario: Security versus Privacy

You manage a large, high-end jewelry store with an international clientele. Your workforce of 150 is demographically diverse, and your employees are trustworthy as a rule. However, you have experienced some unexplained loss of inventory and suspect a couple of employees are stealing valuable pieces, removing them from backroom storage safes and handing them off to another person somewhere in the store who leaves with them or to a third person pretending to be a customer.

To prevent this, your assistant managers are urging you to place discreet cameras in the restrooms and break rooms, where these exchanges are likely occurring. Some managers might be concerned about using cameras at all due to privacy issues; others might want to use them without notifying employees or putting up signs because they do not want to tip off the suspects or deal with the negative reaction of the workforce (although that brings up invasion of privacy issues). You are weighing the pros of catching the thieves against the possible loss of other employees' trust.

- Answer the following questions,

• What would be the ethical dilemma in this case?
• What issues must you confront as you decide whether you will take the recommendation of your assistant managers?
• What, ultimately, will you do? Explain your decision.

1.In this case, the ethical dilemma is considering the privacy of employees as essential or not. Employees privacy and security is an important ethical issue in the business place. Todays digital era has experienced a rise in the use of technology in the workplace. Employers should notify employees when, where and how (what technologies and devices are being used) they are being monitored and surveilled in the workplace. These actions will foster a transparent workplace environment and a trustful relationship between employees and employers (Hayes,2019). In this situation placing cameras in the restroom and keeping security cameras without sign is unethical. It violates individual rights, or employees privacy.

2. Firstly, you need to consider the rights of the employee and privacy. Placing cameras in restrooms and breakrooms will create embarrassment and annoyance among the employees. Also, putting cameras without sign is an illegal activity. If you catch the employee who steals the jewelry as evidence of cameras footage, you can not use it in the court because it is against the law to have cameras in restrooms and breakrooms in the workplace. The Courts have stated that the placement of a video camera in an employees office without his or her knowledge is a serious and intrusive violation of the employees privacy (Video Cameras in the Ontario Workplace, 2020). It is a large, high end jewelry store. If this news spreads to the public, the store will lose its reputation. Plus, jewelry store will lose trust of its employees and reliance customers. Consequently, store will face financial loss.

3.Firstly, for purposes of deterring theft, surveillance cameras may be permitted. In jewelry stores, where cash and inventory are stored, there is a reasonable purpose for having cameras. Further, for employees who work in public facing places, such as at reception of a business, there may be no reasonable expectation of privacy in the first place. On the other hand, in private locations such as restrooms and lunch or breakrooms it is reasonable for both employees and customers to expect privacy. Also, Security cameras should be closely monitored by the securities or employers. In addition, employers should take measures to ensure the recorded images are stored securely, with limited access, and regularly destroyed or deleted. Next, Manger should inform about this issue to the police. They will investigate properly to solve this issue.

Can someone please provide a reply about your perspective of these answers?