Monitoring & surveillance policy template
Clear guidelines for workplace monitoring and surveillance activities. Support compliance with the Workplace Surveillance Act and privacy laws while balancing security needs with employee rights.
Monitoring & surveillance policy
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Why your business needs a monitoring & surveillance policy
Under the Workplace Surveillance Act (NSW) and similar legislation in other states, employers must notify employees before conducting workplace surveillance. A monitoring policy ensures transparency and compliance with these legal requirements.
Whether you're using CCTV cameras for security, monitoring computer use for productivity, or tracking communications in a call centre, employees have the right to know when, how and why they're being monitored. Clear documentation protects both employer and employee interests.
Privacy laws require that surveillance is proportionate, necessary and used only for legitimate business purposes. A comprehensive policy demonstrates your commitment to lawful monitoring practices and helps prevent disputes over surveillance activities.
Key elements of a monitoring & surveillance policy
What your policy should cover
Types of monitoring
What monitoring activities are conducted (IT, CCTV, etc.)
Legal compliance
Meeting Workplace Surveillance Act and privacy law requirements
Employee notification
How employees are informed about monitoring
Purpose limitations
What monitoring data can and cannot be used for
Access to data
Who can view monitoring records and under what circumstances
Retention periods
How long monitoring data is kept
What's included in this template
Comprehensive coverage of monitoring requirements
Purpose & scope
Why the policy exists and which employees it covers.
Policy statement
Clear statement of the organisation's approach to workplace monitoring.
Legal framework
Reference to Workplace Surveillance Act and privacy legislation.
Types of monitoring
Overview of all monitoring activities conducted in the workplace.
IT systems monitoring
Computer use, email, internet and digital system surveillance.
CCTV and physical surveillance
Video surveillance, security cameras and physical monitoring.
Employee notification
How and when employees are informed about monitoring.
Use of monitoring data
Permitted and prohibited uses of surveillance information.
Access and retention
Who can access monitoring data and storage timeframes.
Employee rights
Employee rights regarding monitoring and complaint procedures.
Who should use this template?
Essential for businesses conducting workplace surveillance
Legal disclaimer
This template is designed to reflect Australian workplace surveillance and privacy law requirements at the time of publication. It is provided as a general guide only and does not constitute legal advice.
You should review and tailor this template to suit your business, industry and specific monitoring practices. Surveillance laws vary by state, so seek independent legal advice to ensure compliance with your jurisdiction's requirements.
Regulatory sources
This template is aligned with Australian workplace and privacy requirements.
Ready to implement compliant monitoring?
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Disclaimer
This document is a general HR template provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and may not reflect the latest changes in legislation or apply to every workplace situation. RosterElf Pty Ltd and the template provider accept no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this document. Users should seek independent legal advice and customise the template to ensure it complies with all relevant laws, awards and workplace requirements.