As any business owner will tell you, owning your own business is a 24/7 endeavor. Truthfully though, you can’t personally be at your place of business every minute or every day, which is why more and more owners are installing video surveillance systems.
While opinions vary from employee to employee and customer to customer, it’s always a good idea to consider the advantages and disadvantages before making your decision.
The Advantages
Installing security cameras in your workplace will help manage two common issues: behavior and theft.
- Behavior … You take pride in the work you do, and the product you put out, and it’s important that your employees follow suit when you’re not around. Watching footage of your staff members’ behavior while you’re out of the office can give you the best insight.
- Theft … Employee theft accounts for more than $20 billion a year in lost revenue. While it’s hard for any business owner to think their employees and customers are stealing, it’s a reality. Cameras can deter theft, and also catch the culprits in the act.
The Disadvantages
Some employees and customers are deeply offended by the idea of security cameras. They see it as a sign of distrust by the business owner. In some cases, it can impact performance and retention in the case of the employee, and loyalty in the case of the customer.
Before you make your final decision, research the possible legal ramifications.
The rules pertaining to video surveillance in the workplace differ from state to state. Some states only allow cameras in public areas, and others disallow monitoring in areas where employees have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as locker rooms and employee lounges.