GPS Tracking Systems and Surveillance Equipment

Employers generally view their employees as assets that need to be maximized in order to expand growth and revenue. Some employers use positive reinforcement to increase an employee's production rate by offering bonuses or other incentives to motivate an employee. However, many employers are now using technology to weigh if an employee is being constructive with time spent working in the office or field. What the employers are doing is adopting GPS tracking systems, computer surveillance equipment, and video cameras to spy on employees during the work day in an effort to validate performance. Because employers are using GPS tracking systems, among other monitoring devices, employees are raising questions about privacy rights while on the job.

How Many Companies are using Tracking Systems and Surveillance?

Recently, The ePolicy Institute contacted 526 companies and gave each one a survey about what type of employee monitoring devices or procedures were used on staff and the following data was complied:

• 51% of the 526 companies used video surveillance
• 85% of the 526 companies stated they informed employees about video surveillance of staff

Statistics were not provided about the number of GPS tracking systems that were used to monitor employees who worked outside of the office.

Many businesses with numerous company vehicles operating in the field have been using GPS tracking systems with regularity for a variety of reasons.