Workplace surveillance
15 July 2024
The ALA made a submission to the Victorian Legislative Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Committee (Committee) as part of the inquiry into workplace surveillance.
The ALA’s submission, with reference to de-identified client case studies from members, focuses on:
- the effectiveness of current privacy and workplace-related laws;
- surveillance data and ownership of that data;
- the impact of workplace surveillance;
- international and domestic examples of best practice workplace surveillance regulation and privacy protection.
Among several recommendations made in this submission the ALA has recommended that specific workplace surveillance laws should be enacted in Victoria, and also that the Victorian Government should undertake a public education campaign about employees’ rights in relation to workplace surveillance.
Victoria Branch President Susan Accary and Victoria Branch Secretary Sha Hotchin appeared at a public hearing in September 2024 as part of this inquiry. Susan and Sha shared with the Committee the impact that workplace surveillance has had on the clients of ALA members, including in the processing of claims. They reiterated the need for Victoria to adopt legislation mirroring the NSW framework requiring employers to disclose workplace surveillance and to handle surveillance footage or data in accordance with those laws.
The final report from the Committee was tabled May 2025. They reiterated the need for Victoria to adopt legislation mirroring the NSW framework requiring employers to disclose workplace surveillance and to handle footage or data in accordance with those laws.
ALA submission
Hearing testimony from Susan Accary and Sha Hotchin (23 September 2024)
Final report from the Legislative Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Committee