Butler in this article, “Workplace Privacy: We’ll Be Watching You,” takes a look at the importance of privacy in the workplace. The author explores and takes a look at why the privacy of employees and colleagues in the health sector is critical. Privacy and confidentiality are very important aspects of human beings and many employees in the workplace usually prefer to have their private personal lives separated and this is why this subject has often led to a lot of issues and controversy (Butler 2007). Employers and colleagues are expected to maintain a boundary when dealing with each other at the workplace. Individuals are often very secretive and thus they expect that other individuals who come into direct contact with them in their workplace respect what is personal and private to them. Individuals working in the health sector are expected to be very professional and are often required to perform their duties very professionally and this is even possible for them when they are in a psychological stable state (Turnbull 2007).
When details about of an individual’s private life are leaked, especially embarrassing details to the public, especially colleagues, an individual’s performance could be affected and their output in the workplace may ultimately go down (Butler 2007). Peace of mind may be taken for granted by many employers but the working environment mustn’t violate the privacy rights of employees because the outcome of this can even affect patients especially if it involves specialists like doctors. Employees usually prefer that their personal space is respected by both employers and colleagues; this is why an individual’s personal belongings, telephone conversation, mail, email, Facebook accounts, and other internet accounts, financial statements, and data which were collected in confidence must be respected by employers and colleagues (Turnbull 2007).
Employers should thus keep some distance and not infringe on the privacy rights of their employees. Employers often preserve the right to go through the email and texts of their employees citing that it is important that they monitor their employee’s actions and this may sometimes lead to conflict (Turnbull 2007). Some employers such as hospitals also use surveillance systems such as CCTV cameras to spy on actions of nurses and doctors and when employees know that big brother is watching they often carry out their duties with a high degree of fear which may impair their judgment and even affect negatively on their performance (Butler 2007).
When employers spy on employees then an atmosphere of mistrust will likely arise and there will be a high degree of demonization, suspicion and employees may rebel against the organization affecting the mission and vision of the organization (Turnbull 2007). Considering that the health sector requires its personnel to be highly professional and alert employers and colleagues need to give each other enough personal space to carry out their duties (Butler 2007). Doctor-patient confidentiality is very important and nurses and doctors should not spy on cases of their colleagues because this may offend others and bring about a hostile working environment that could affect the overall output of the hospital and even the industry (Turnbull 2007). Administrators thus must develop systems and practices that will ensure the privacy of employees and patients is not breached and that the process of sharing important organizational data is confidential enough to protect the identity, and respect the personal space of those individuals in contact.
References
Butler, L. (2007). Workplace Privacy: We’ll Be Watching You. Ohio Northern University Law Review, 10-63.
Turnbull, J. I. (2009). Privacy in the workplace. Toronto: CCH Canadian Limited.