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Privacy open for discussion
Two models for regulating workers’ privacy across the state have been put forward in a new Victorian Law Reform Commission paper released today.
The first option would require employers to seek authorisation in advance from a regulator before undertaking either some or all surveillance, monitoring or testing practices in the workplace.
The second option would require employers to comply with a set of principles on how they implement and conduct workplace surveillance, monitoring and testing.
Commission Chairperson, Professor Marcia Neave, said the options have been developed to provide a balance between privacy protection for workers and businesses’ need to protect their property and provide a safe and lawful workplace.
“Privacy protection affects everyone from the worker who is asked to undergo a psychological test for a new job to the farmer who decides to test workers using heavy machinery for drugs and alcohol,” Professor Neave said.
“The Commission has consulted with groups such as the Victorian Farmers Federation, who have pointed out the particular problems associated with keeping an eye on workers in isolated locations or those operating heavy machinery.
“The models we’ve come up with aim to accommodate the different types of workplaces throughout the state.”
“In preparing the Options Paper, we consulted more than 50 organisations and individuals, either through submissions or face-to-face meetings. The next step in the review is to hear what people think of the proposed models.
For more information see the Workplace Privacy Options Paper Fact Sheets.