With the new year underway, employers with workplaces in
Victoria should start considering the potential impact of the
workplace surveillance reform on their business. This matter is
firmly on the State Government's legislative agenda, following
its announcement of support for stronger workplace privacy
protections late last year.
After a State parliamentary inquiry into workplace surveillance,
the Government has recently tabled its formal response, providing
in principle support for 15 of the inquiry's 18
recommendations, with the remaining three recommendations still
being considered.
The recommendations propose sweeping legislative changes
including the introduction of obligations on employers to justify
surveillance as reasonable and proportionate, provide advance
notice and consultation, maintain dedicated workplace surveillance
policies, and strengthen data security and privacy protections.
They also call for restrictions on covert surveillance,
