INVASION OF STAFF PRIVACY
CCTV cameras show workers’ private parts’
A TOP Durban tourist attraction has been accused of installing closed-circuit television cameras that invade employees’ privacy, exposing their lower bodies and underwear.
Fast-food outlet staff at uShaka Marine World say management have installed cameras under the cashier’s table and chair, leading to their exposure.
Bongani Mthiyane, uShaka Marine World’s marketing director, was unable to comment “at this stage, as it is a highly sensitive and complex issue”.
“Commenting would pre-empt the outcome of the investigation.”
The Inkatha Freedom Party’s Mdu Nkosi has called on eThekwini’s municipal manager Sibusiso Sithole to investigate.
He said they were disturbed that staff privacy had been invaded by the installation of the cameras.
“We demand an intervention to establish whether it’s permissible for shopowners to install cameras that view the employees private parts.”
Norton Rose Fulbright labour lawyer Karen Ainslie said employers had a right to set up security cameras in the workplace, but added that it was always subject to the employees’ right to privacy.
“That ’ s why you will not find CCTV cameras in bath and change rooms. At the end of the day you need to balance the employer’s right to protect its business (against theft or shrinkage, for instance) with the employee’s right to privacy,” said Ainslie.
“In my experience CCTV cam- eras can be placed in such a way to monitor the cash register (thereby protecting the employer against theft and protecting employees against false claims) without the angle of these cameras infringing on the employee’s right to privacy.”