RemoteAlarms #WorkplaceMonitoring #EmployeePrivacy #GasStationSafety
The New "Remote Alarms" at Work: What You Need to Know
Does your workplace recently introduced a new "remote alarm" system that’s significantly different from the old one? You’re not alone. Here’s a deep dive into your concerns and questions.
A Significant Upgrade or a Privacy Invasion?
The transition to new remote alarms is creating a buzz, especially for employees at gas stations and similar workplaces. Unlike the old simple button-press models, these new devices boast features like touchscreens, cameras, and audio recorders.
Why the Change?
Understanding the motive behind the upgrade can provide some context:
- Enhanced Safety: Modern remote alarms are designed to track movements, ensuring employees are safe, especially in high-risk jobs.
- Real-time Monitoring: With live monitoring, employers can react swiftly to emergencies.
- Improved Security: Camera and audio features aim to secure the environment by capturing any potentially dangerous situations.
🙁 However, it’s understandable to have concerns about how this might impact your privacy, especially since you were not informed about these additional features.
Key Features and Functions
Here’s a breakdown of what these new devices might include:
- Motion Detection: To alert managers if an employee remains stationary for too long, potentially indicating a problem.
- Touchscreen Interface: Offers user-friendly interaction compared to the old models.
- Camera: Records images or video, supposedly for security purposes.
- Audio Recorder: Captures sounds, again for security reasons.
Privacy Concerns: Are They Recording You?
💡 It’s crucial to understand the implications of being recorded at work. Here are some key concerns and actions you can take:
- Informed Consent: Your employer should have informed you about the camera and audio recorder.
- Recording in Private Spaces: It’s worrying that the device might record in private areas like bathrooms. Generally, such surveillance is subject to strict regulations.
- Ask for Clarification: It’s advisable to request detailed information from your employer regarding how these devices are monitored and used.
Immediate Steps to Take
If you’re uncomfortable or uncertain about the new remote alarms:
- Seek Clarification: Ask your employer for detailed information about the device’s capabilities and the company’s data privacy policies.
- Report Concerns: If the device is recording in sensitive areas, report this immediately to HR or a higher authority.
- Legal Advice: Consider getting legal advice to understand your rights related to workplace surveillance.
Conclusion: Balancing Safety and Privacy
While these new remote alarms could potentially enhance workplace safety, it’s also essential to ensure that they don’t infringe on employee privacy. Clear communication from the employer about these devices and respecting employees’ privacy rights is crucial. Always feel empowered to voice your concerns and seek the necessary clarifications.
🔍 Keep an eye out for updates and ask for continuous transparency from your employers regarding workplace monitoring technologies. It’s all about finding the right balance between safety and privacy.
start searching for a new job
Egregious breach of motherfucking privacy if it has a camera on it. Look elsewhere. Stat.
I would ask for the policy they are using to monitor these devices. What they are doing with the data. If they won’t tell you….leave!!!!
Stop wearing it…and contact an employment attorney.
Lots of Mexican food and a thunderous trip to the toilet with the monitor watching you spray paint the inside of the toilet.
Whoops. Forgot to pick that up.
Are these supposed to be for your safety? WTF? I have never heard of this type of hsit.
They should tell you how they operate, we used to have some that when you pressed the alarm they would be monitored by an alarm receiving centre and they could then work out what assistance is required and the audio was recorded if needed for prosecutions. I assume video is another step on from that. But they should be telling people what it’s recording and how to use it!
Would be a shame if that camera picked up an occupational work hazard
Cow bell.
Faraday bags are pretty cheap online.
Do you…. Do you have to carry it into the bathroom when you relieve yourself? I would find out if that’s even legal omg
This is **EXTREMELY FUCKING ILLEGAL**… or surely has to be. What the literal fuck
Unless you get full benefits, over six figures, and a company car- start looking for a new job yesterday.
They are using them to track you as well as invade your privacy with the camera. Time to bail.
May want to speak to a labor rights attorney on that camera bit. If you were not told it had a camera, and it got a good shot of you in the bathroom there are likely some laws violated. In any event, it’s time to leave and without a notice.
attach to a vibrator and let it run nonstop in your locker at work
OP how old are you? If you’re under 18 and they recorded you in the bathroom they are even more screwed than if you are over 18.
Also, too bad this new thing is so much bigger …and heavier….and prone being dropped on the concrete….
This is insane. If it’s a safety issue don’t have employees work alone.
Camera in the bathroom is lawsuit territory.
I worked for a chain of pawnshops back in the day. They switched out the wall mounted alarm for some new alarm pendants employees could wear. Not two months after getting the new alarm buttons one of the stores got robbed. The employees were each spamming their button but no alarm sounded and now security showed. Turns out you had to press and HOLD the button. I’m sure the crew there would’ve loved to have known how to use their alarms before they were robbed.
Step one is to electrical tape over the camera and microphone and see if they say anything.
I would ask for a copy of the policy that states you are required to wear the device and what the terms of wearing the device entail, including what will happen if an employee forgets to bring it in, refuses to wear it or loses it.
This copy will be your proof that the policy is actually a policy and not some sort of “misunderstanding” when you get a lawyer involved.
Do not wear the device without a copy of the policy because you can’t agree to terms of using the device when you haven’t been given the terms. No fucking way I accept any kind of device without knowing what it does, what it is for, why I need to use it, how I need to use it and what happens if the device is lost, stolen, broken, ect. I don’t want the responsibility of carrying around company property unless I am VERY clear what the established rules are AND I have a hard copy of the rules I can refer back to in case I forget.
This isn’t about being a rebel asshole employee. This is about being clearly informed about policy so you can follow it. Can you imagine if the device breaks and you are on the hook to buy a new one?
If you want to be extra then take it into the bathroom with you since you were required to always wear it under company policy. Then “discover” the camera that you were not made aware of and sue the absolute shit out of them.
https://preview.redd.it/hn2p0xjlrf4d1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ce3fc3ce25cdb5751bb860471151335822f0efe1
Image of the device for those asking. Tried researching it but can’t find anything.
Wear it in the bathroom, and make sure it gets inappropriate video of you.
Turn company into labor board.
Hire tort lawyers and fill privacy violation lawsuits.
Get all fellow employees to join.
Now it’s a class action suit.