Employee GPS Tracking - Top Privacy Issues in 2023

Do you know where your employees are right now? If you use GPS tracking technology to monitor their location and activity, you might have the answer. But do you also know the potential privacy issues and legal challenges that come with GPS tracking? If not, you might be putting your business and your employees at risk.

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Employers may follow the whereabouts and activity of their employees in real time thanks to a technology called GPS tracking. This can be done using apps with GPS functionality on personal or work phones, as well as GPS devices mounted on company-owned cars or equipment. Businesses can gain a lot from GPS tracking of personnel, including more responsibility, improved productivity, lower labor expenses, precise payroll, improved safety, better customer service, and increased efficiency.

However if not done correctly, GPS employee tracking can also give rise to privacy issues and legal issues. Being constantly watched over by their employers may cause employees to feel as though their privacy has been invaded or that their trust has been betrayed. If employers transgress state laws or rules governing employee GPS tracking, they may be subject to litigation or penalties. Thus, it's critical for businesses to comprehend the privacy concerns and appropriate practices around GPS tracking of workers.

We'll go over the main privacy concerns with employee GPS tracking in this article, along with some tips on how to avoid them. We will also offer some recommendations for developing and putting into practice an employee GPS tracking policy that is just and advantageous to both the business and its workers. You may make sure that you utilize GPS tracking in a way that is legal, moral, and respectful by adhering to these rules.

Employers may follow the whereabouts and activity of their employees in real time thanks to a technology called GPS tracking. This can be done using apps with GPS functionality on personal or work phones, as well as GPS devices mounted on company-owned cars or equipment. Businesses can gain various advantages from GPS employee tracking, including the following:

• Increasing output by recognizing and resolving delays or inefficiencies.
• Lowering labor costs and ensuring correct payment by confirming the number of hours worked and the places visited.
• Increasing safety by giving real-time location data and emergency notifications.
• Enhancing customer service by making sure that goods or services are delivered on time.
• Improving effectiveness through route and resource optimization.
• Improving accountability by making staff accountable for their time and actions.

Privacy Issues Related to Employee GPS Tracking

The question of whether employee GPS tracking constitutes a privacy infringement is one of the main privacy concerns. Workers may feel as though their bosses are prying into their private lives by monitoring their whereabouts and activities, particularly when this occurs after hours or for reasons unrelated to the workplace. Also, workers might be concerned that their employers might use the GPS information against them in disciplinary procedures, performance reviews, or termination choices.

The use of privately owned versus company-owned devices is a privacy concern associated with employee GPS tracking. Depending on whether they are using their own devices or those given by their employers, employees may have various privacy expectations. On company-owned devices, employees could feel more at ease being monitored because they know they are only using them for work. Yet, given that they may use their personal devices for both business and personal activities, employees might be more hesitant about being tracked on those devices.

The security and safety of the GPS data is a third privacy concern associated with employee GPS tracking. Concerns regarding who has access to the GPS data, how long it is stored, and how it is safeguarded against illegal use or disclosure may arise among employees. Workers might also wish to be able to see their own GPS data and make any necessary corrections. It is a good idea for cybersecurity experts to assess and scrutinize all systems handling sensitive data.

Best Practices for Employee GPS Tracking

When employing GPS tracking for their employees, employers should abide by a few basic practices to reduce legal risks and guarantee employee happiness. They consist of:

• Only deploy GPS tracking in equipment or vehicles that an employer owns. According to case law and laws, it is typically acceptable to monitor an employee using company-owned property, especially if they are aware that their GPS location is being tracked. It is still illegal to monitor how employees use their own property.

• Inform staff members of the GPS tracking policy's intent. Businesses should explain why GPS tracking is being used, such as to increase safety, productivity, or customer service, as well as how the data will be used, stored, and secured. Also, employees need to be made aware of their GPS tracking rights and obligations.

• Before deploying GPS tracking, get the employees' written consent. Before placing GPS devices on their vehicles or other equipment or asking them to use GPS-enabled apps, employers should have the employee's written consent. The scope, length, and frequency of GPS tracking should be specified in the consent form, along with the repercussions of declining or turning off GPS tracking.

• Restrict GPS tracking to work-related activities and hours. Companies should respect their employees' privacy and refrain from monitoring them after hours or for reasons unrelated to the job. Also, while workers are on breaks, vacations, sick days, or other personal time off, employers should turn off GPS tracking.

• Regularly review and update the GPS tracking policy. Employers should routinely examine their GPS tracking policies to make sure they are up to date with all applicable rules and regulations as well as the demands and expectations of both the business and the employees. Also, employers should inform staff members of any policy updates or alterations.

Employee GPS tracking can be a valuable tool for businesses to optimize their operations and performance. However, it can also raise privacy concerns and legal challenges if not done properly. By following the above best practices, employers can ensure that they use GPS tracking in a lawful, ethical, and respectful manner.