Dive Brief:
- Sooner than later just about every commonly used device will be connected to the Internet, experts say.
- This trend of connected devices is known as the Internet of Things (IoT), and according to an article at InsideCounsel.com, IoT will create a host of workplace legal issues.
- Some of these legal matters arising from the IoT include matters of safety, productivity, privacy and more.
Dive Insight:
Scott Fanning, an employment attorney with Fisher & Phillips, told InsideCounsel that for example, in the area of privacy, employees can be connected to the workplace and monitored and tracked, just as supplies could be, as many companies have radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips in employee badges.
The ability to track employee movement to see where they are and their activity levels can deliver benefits. For instance, if someone visits a supply closet an unusual number of times and there are missing supplies, that could be the cause. On the other hand, Fanning warned, employers could easily abuse this ability, by doing things like tracking employee time in restrooms. Other danger areas relate to the NLRB and collective bargaining and the data security issues around wellness programs that use wearable tech.
When considering workplace IoT technology, Fanning recommends paying close attentin to state laws, especially if an employer does business in a number of states. It's also important, he says, to consider employee privacy interests, telling InsideCounsel the an effective way to prevent problems is to provide notice and require consent.
