1984
George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four portrayed 1984 as the year when everyone would be under 24-hour surveillance by ”Big Brother.” It appears he was off by 20 years or so. The ABA Journal quotes from a London Times article that says Microsoft is developing “Big Brother” software to allow employers remotely to monitor their employees’ productivity, comepetence and physical well-being. Wireless sensors will supposedly transmit employees’ heart rates and stress levels and even determine whether they are smiling or frowning. The London Times report is based on a patent application filed by Microsoft.
If this is true, employee privacy concerns will be ratcheted up another notch. The difficulty with employee privacy as an employment law issue is that technology changes so quickly and lawmakers move so slowly. It’s difficult to see how the law will ever catch up with the technology. But stay tuned.
About Chris Parker
Chris Parker's practice focuses on the representation and counseling of companies in matters pertaining to the workplace and the protection of their intellectual property and trade secrets. In addition to serving as an advocate for clients, Mr. Parker is also trained as a mediator and frequently serves as a third-party neutral.
Read more about Chris Parker
About Jimmy Daniel
Jimmy Daniel provides counseling to businesses of all sizes related to the employment relationship. He assists in the drafting of employment agreements, policies, and handbooks, as well as provides guidance related to compliance with federal, state, and local legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Read more about Jimmy Daniel
About Larry Bridgesmith
While serving in an Of Counsel relationship with the firm, Mr. Bridgesmith also serves as the Executive Director at the Institute for Conflict Resolution at Lipscomb University and as an officer and principal in Strategic Resolutions Group, LLC. In these roles, Mr. Bridgesmith brings over 30 years of legal experience in dispute resolution and innovative workplace strategies to clients, students and business entities alike.
Read more about Larry Bridgesmith