Pros and cons of video surveillance in the workplace

Security cameras are everywhere – but people still debate the pros and cons of safety vs privacy! A security camera is a must for residential and workplace protection. But, many are still sceptical about using security cameras in the workplace. Let us take an honest look at the pros and cons of video surveillance in the workplace.

Believe it or not, workplaces without security cameras have a 300% higher chance of robbery or theft. At the end of the day, criminals do not want to be seen or recorded – this is a practical reason for you to consider when debating whether you should install a surveillance camera in a corporate workplace.

However, businesses planning to install surveillance cameras must do so with care. Surveillance cameras help deter crimes, but you still need a remote guard to monitor the footage to ensure security. If you do not have someone watching the camera footage, you might miss the red flags of impending crime, burglary and safety issues – leading to greater workplace crime. This month, Technomine will focus on the pros and cons of surveillance cameras in the workplace. 

Pros of Security Cameras

According to the reports published by ADT, installing a surveillance camera helps reduce the chance of theft or robbery by 50%. Police officers we have worked with in the past have also claimed that with the help of CCTV footage, it is easier to investigate the case and access any possible leads.

Let us look at some of the advantages of installing a surveillance camera in the workplace and how the surveillance cameras contribute to safeguarding your property. 

Increased Safety

Undoubtedly, the foremost advantage of using a surveillance camera is increased safety. As per reports, businesses can lose up to $3 billion to $8 billion daily due to burglary and shoplifting. The prime target of the burglars is the properties that remain unsecured. Almost 60% of burglars move to their next target if an alarm is present to safeguard the property. With video surveillance, you can monitor your business anytime-anywhere. Remote guards and alarm monitoring features will help you take preventive measures to stop any unusual activity or crime even before it happens. 

Other benefits of surveillance cameras are live tracking and alarm monitoring. Alarm monitoring helps send alerts to the respected authorities to stop the crime before it happens. Live tracking will also help you navigate the ins and outs of the place and detect any suspicious activity. 

Documented Evidence

Installing a surveillance camera can help investigate a case. No one wants the worst to happen, but video surveillance footage can be very helpful in extreme cases like burglary, theft or assault. Video monitoring services can help you work with police and local authorities to monitor any suspicious activity around the workplace. A surveillance camera can store data and recordings that can be very helpful during the investigation process. 

Video surveillance in an office can help the local authorities collect all the relevant information in case of a mishap. In a workplace scenario, if there is a dispute between employees, the evidence from the recordings can help find out the truth. In case someone has stolen the company’s assets, surveillance cameras can help reveal the truth. Long story short, surveillance cameras in the workplace can help document the evidence to maintain the decorum of the business. 

Reduced Harassment

Video cameras in the workplace can help curb the harassment of employees, especially female workers. Surveillance cameras monitor the safety of the employees and help the company create a positive environment. The US Department of Justice revealed that 80% of harassment cases are unreported. In that case, remote video surveillance monitoring can encourage employees to come forward without fear.

Video surveillance in the workplace can be very helpful in monitoring the following perimeters that might get overlooked by business owners. 

• Poorly lit areas 
• Storage rooms
• Garage
• Cafetaria 
• Cash offices 

Suppose, if any unusual activity is identified, the remote guards will immediately send out alerts to the local authority to stop the crime even before it happens. When business owners have the advantage of 24*7 CCTV surveillance, crime detection becomes easier. It will become very easy for business owners to monitor the areas ensuring minimum harassment strictly. 

Increased Productivity  

Employees are likely to work better if they know someone is watching. Surveys reveal that employees spend around 5 hours a week doing non-work-related activities. When aware of live monitoring, they could be more conscious about their work, ultimately boosting the business productivity. In our experience, data breach or theft are also minimized with the help of video monitoring.

Next, we are going to discuss the disadvantages of surveillance cameras in the workplace.

Cons of Security Cameras in the Workplace

What is wrong with workplace video surveillance? If not handled with sensitivity, constant monitoring can feel invasive, and the employees might get demotivated that they are not trusted and their privacy is not respected. Workplace video surveillance may prevent crimes, but it also creates unwarranted stress for employees, especially when working physically or psychologically demanding jobs. Let us look at some of the cons of security cameras in the workplace. 

Easily Tampered

Surveillance cameras at the workplace might be easily manipulated, leading to loss of footage or substantial evidence regarding the property. The surveillance can be intimidating for employees resulting in an environment of suspicion, mental stress and low motivation. Overall, a lack of limits on workplace surveillance can be detrimental to organizational culture – especially if the evidence is manipulated unethically.

For example, if your cameras are easy to identify, it would be easy for someone to simply tilt them, avoid their line of sight or even hide evidence by obscuring the camera entirely.  Here is what you can do to prevent tampering with video surveillance cameras and maximize the safety of your property. 

1. Use vandal-proof security cameras
2. Strategically place cameras to avoid blind spots
3. Hide your security cameras or move out of reach to prevent tampering
4. Have protocols to address camera down immediately 

Limitation with Logistics

Poorly lit areas, garages and dark rooms are the common areas where security cameras are needed to detect unusual activity. But, with ordinary surveillance cameras identifying the activities in dark areas might be difficult. At this point, night vision enables CCTV cameras that might be very helpful in increasing safety around the workplace. 

Installation Costs

Installing and operating a security camera monitoring service is an expensive investment. Besides the maintenance, surveillance cameras also demand dedicated employees to watch the feed with utmost attention and sincerity. Every minute of live monitoring and surveillance is crucial, with zero scopes for errors. Try to conduct a semi-annual inspection and replace connections that show corrosion. Ensure your CCTV cameras get regular maintenance. 

Get Started with Remote Video Monitoring

Undoubtedly, there are both advantages & disadvantages to installing security cameras. The numbers clearly show that security installation can be an investment that pays off for a long time – both in terms of productivity and prevention of property loss. A remotely monitored electronic security system can increase surrounding security by reducing tampering, preventing harassment and documenting evidence.

As per the reports, the Global Video Surveillance Cameras market is expected to grow considerably between 2022 and 2026. People are choosing remote video monitoring to safeguard their properties so they can have 24*7 access to security staff from anywhere in the world.

With Technomine, you get access to 24/7 remote video monitoring services. Our team works round-the-clock to safeguard your property. Even if your remote monitoring team has logged off for the day, our team will work on your behalf to ensure that your location is secured with comprehensive perimeter surveillance. Our experienced remote guards ensure total safety and security at your factory, warehouse, or industrial complex.

If you are looking for expert guidance on video surveillance or remote video monitoring, then Technomine is the right place for you. We provide cost-effective security solutions. As a result, our security services are cheaper than most on-ground staff. 

To see how you can reduce guard costs, increase safety, and clock greater profits with our remote security services, reach out via the chat box on our homepage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Workplace Surveillance Camera Monitoring