Definitions
Provided below are definitions to help you better understand each catergory in the incident tracker. In addition to the data we collected on each incident, including company, vendor, year first reported, we coded each incident for the categories listed below. For sectors, impacted workers, and device/mode categories, we do not give any definitions; we felt these categories were self-explanatory.
Workplace Surveillance (WS) vs. Electronic Monitroing (EM)
Workplace surveillance may encompass a wide range of mechanisms by which a worker is being surveilled, including by electronic systems. However, this may also be in-person surveillance, as in some of our cases. Electronic monitoring is any workplace surveillance that is mediated through an electronic device or technology, including but not limited to AI systems, cameras, or monitoring softwares.
Information Collected
Data collected from monitoring.
Surveillance Reason
Stated reason for surveillance as provided by company.
Surveillance Harm
Harms as a direct or downstream result of surveillance by a company, may be intentional or unintentional, and may implicate those who are not the direct target (e.g. surveillance system tracking workers targets customers in the store as well, or vice versa).
Other Harm
Other harms that are a direct or downstream result of surveillance by a company. These harms fall into more specific actions that may be taken in a workplace with explicit harm and .
Device or Mode
Type of device or mode used to surveil workers.
Sectors
Sector categories determined in part by a list from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Information & Communication Technology
Transportation & Logistics
Retail & Hospitality
Healthcare & Social Services
Government & Public Sector
Education
Arts, Media & Entertainment
Industrial
Business, Finance & Professional Services
Impacted Workers
Type of workers impacted, determined by role in company.
Remote Work
Retail/Grocery
Office
Tradespeople
Drivers
Students
Manufacturing & Warehouse
Healthcare
Hospitality & Service