Full-Body Scans at Work

Ever since the thwarted Christmas day airplane bombing in Detroit, there has been much debate about the use of full-body scanners at airports. Opponents say the use of such an intrusive instrument constitutes an unlawful invasion of privacy. Supporters say since we’re at war with an enemy intent on using our own airplanes to kill hundreds and thousands of Americans, permitting a stranger to observe your body parts is a small price to pay for greater security.

Let’s make this debate a little more personal. What about using full-body scanners at work? There’s growing violence in the workplace, and it’s a matter of time until there’s a terrorist strike on a high-profile workplace. Most people want to feel safe where they work.

Wait a minute, some employees will surely object. It’s one thing to monitor emails and phone calls and have video cameras in the common areas of an office and require drug testing and even search employee property if there’s reasonable suspicion the employee is up to no good. It’s quite another to be effectively undressed and strip-searched as a matter of course every time an employee enters the workplace.

I don’t know. It seems to me to be a close question — or, at least, a confusing one. Think about it. Safety, security, privacy, nakedness. The mind boggles.

And then there’s the question of who will operate the full-body scanner. Some stranger from the outside? Someone in HR? A supervisor or manager? A security guard on whom The Man Gene has a tight grip? I wouldn’t worry about that. It’s my guess that the CEO will insist that full-body scanning be added to his job description.