Dullard

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Is there anyone who is familiar with laws on hidden cameras & microphones in the workplace, Just to clear up any questions No this is not my my company, and I have nothing to do with any of the cameras. The reason I ask is because a place of employment that I know of recently installed several security cameras (this part is fine) but they also installed 2-3 hidden cameras disguised as motion detectors. There is also hidden audio recording taking place . Now as I understood the laws (of Rhode Island ) plainly visible cameras in the workplace were fine, but hidden cameras were not ok, also I thought that in order to have audio monitoring you had to post some form of warning to the employees/occupants that the is audio monitoring in progress.
Please any help would be appreciated on this matter.

oldabe

In order to be audio recorded you must either state that you know you are being recorded or sign a statement to the same. Hidden camaras are an ongoing issue. Unless they are recording you in a private area (ie:restrooms, locker room etc) they are legal.
Im a Poice Officer in Florida and have seen this issue come up at times.
If it were me I would act out in front of the hidden camaras and say things REALLY stupid for the recording devices. This will let the people who put them there know that you know and are not afraid.
You could use statements like "I cant wait for the FBI to get here, did you here we are being investagated for illigal gambeling or whatever you think of. Then sit back and watch the fun. They cant do anyhting to you because unless you signed a statement it is illigal.
Have fun with it, I would.
Oldabe OUT

licupssy

oldabe covers about all that I've found so far on the subject. Audio recording of private conversations is normally illegal unless it is covered under work rules stating your not to use company phones for personal use. Then with todays technology it's just a matter of checking their phone records to prove you used a company phone for non-business use. Actually, it sounds like you hit on a very gray area which has to do with a balance between personal privacy and company security.
My specialty is Computer room fire suppression, Fire Alarms, Secuity alarms, CCTV, etc. This has put me thru quite a few situations where I've gone thru some very secure locations.
I've been places where I've had to go thru security just to enter the place. Take special elevators to get to the floor I was going to work on. Have an escort to take me there. Going thru sets of double doors where you couldn't open the next door until the door behind you was closed and lock. All while be scrutiness by armed guards behind bullet proof glass. Finally getting where you're going and need someone to let me thru a locked metal gate. Once inside you had to have some to watch you who had to have someone watch them. Luckily my company was only a subcontractor so all I had to do was diasarm the halon. I actually only did the paperwork I had a helper to do the physical work for me. The guy with his neck out was the contractor's man. If he messed up we could have been locked in behind a 3' thick vault door.
It's funny the first job I had was with a department store. Must people wouldn't realize there are security guard perches used to spy on the customers. And that 16 y/o kid that keeps glancing at you is actually a 25 y/o plain clothes security guard. They still use them even with CCTV.
I'd ask a lawyer, if you don't know one check with the law advisory. Won't cost you anything to ask.

Dullard

Thanks for the replys, i will pass on the info

kpeeze

Those may be the laws in Florida, but they vary from state to state. In some states, people are allowed to record more without your permission. I would recommend looking into the specific laws of the state in question.

popopopo

I work at Starbucks. They keep everyone on surveillance and there isn't really anything we can do about it.

Draggon

Canadian law (At least here on the wet coast as I've been told by WCB) says that you can be monitored, but they can only use the recordings to catch you on things that are illegal (Suck as stealing, or lude acts) and can't be used to catch people slacking etc.

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jeffc574

The posts about audio are correct. You need much more informed consent for audio than video. Some schools have gotten in trouble because the camera in school busses capture sound and images.

In most places, a sign saying video is in use is all the warning a company needs to give.

icarus

I heard that it is illegal to say, record someone making threats to you via phone to take it to court is this true? I know its kind of off topic but it relates to the laws of surveillance.

Lucky13

Recording audio of someone without their consent or knowledge violates federal wiretapping laws, regardless of what state you're in.