AUGUSTA - Rep. Amy Roeder, D-Bangor, introduced legislation Tuesday to prohibit employer surveillance, unless the surveillance is strictly necessary for employee health and safety or the security of the employer.
"Since the beginning of the pandemic, employers have been searching for ways to stay in business and keep their employees on their payroll," said Roeder. "Along with an increase in remote telework, there have been increased attempts from employers who are hoping to keep tabs on their workers. While employee accountability is important, and necessary, the level in which some employers are currently monitoring their employees is unnecessary."
Surveillance programs have the ability to record keystrokes, track computer activity by taking screenshots, record phone calls or meetings, access employees' webcams and, even further, remotely access workers' systems altogether.
LD 949 would require employers to provide data collected on employees and specifies that an employer must provide notice to employees prior to beginning surveillance. Additionally, the legislation provides that an employee has a private right of action.
According to a study conducted in 2021, surveilling employees often has negative consequences, including making employees more likely to break rules. Employees in the United States who were under surveillance took more unapproved breaks, intentionally worked more slowly and stole more office equipment than their unmonitored peers.
"Beyond breaking the trust of employees, the use of unnecessary surveillance technology is a creepy, Orwellian invasion of privacy," said Roeder.
The Legislature's Labor and Housing Committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks.
Roeder is serving her second term in the Maine House of Representatives and is House chair of the Labor and Housing Committee. She represents House District 23, which includes a portion of Bangor.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Ankeles], 305-965-2744