The Advantages, Risks, and Rules of Installing Video Surveillance in Workplaces

The monitoring of employees is an issue closely related to the right to
privacy, protection of personal data, and dignity. The development of modern technol-
ogy has brought many benefits, but also risks – to which special attention should be
paid, especially with the installation of video surveillance systems. The data collected
during video surveillance is usually images relating to an identified person, or a person
who can be identified – directly or indirectly – to monitor behaviour. As video monitoring
spreads, people’s freedom of movement and behaviour, and their privacy, are therefore
reduced. Video surveillance is used for various purposes, but mostly for security - where
guarantees must be taken to avoid any misuse for completely different and individual
purposes (e.g. for marketing; to monitor the work of employees, etc.). This paper provides
an analysis of the rules and regulations in Macedonian legislation. Special attention is
paid to the procedure and circumstances under which it is possible to install permanent
video surveillance to control work activity.
KEYWORDS: video surveillance, workplace, data protection, procedure.