Chapter XIII: Personal Autonomy and Electronic Surveillance in the Workplace

Emma Rooksby
Charles Sturt University, Australia & Australian National University, Australia

Natasha Cica
University of Canberra, Australia & Charles Sturt University, Australia

Abstract

In this chapter we suggest a significant cause for concern about electronic surveillance in the workplace, namely the moral and political value of personal autonomy and the threat to personal autonomy posed by the use of electronic surveillance. We explore the significance of psychological aspects of personal autonomy (psychological autonomy, for short) and argue that individuals may be conceived of as having rights to psychological autonomy that extend to the workplace. We then argue that, in certain circumstances, electronic surveillance in the workplace may undermine psychological autonomy, thereby infringing upon workers rights to psychological autonomy.