The bill mandates that employers promptly disclose any data collection on workers in a conspicuous and easily accessible manner, including making such information available on the internet in a readable format
A bipartisan effort in the United States House of Representatives has put forward legislation aiming to bring greater transparency and oversight to workplace surveillance technologies. Introduced on March 15 by Representatives Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania and Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon, the bill, dubbed the Stop Spying Bosses Act, seeks to regulate the monitoring of workers by employers.
Under the proposed legislation, employers would be required to disclose their use of surveillance technologies and data collection methods concerning employees. Additionally, the Department of Labor would establish a dedicated “privacy and technology division” to oversee these workplace surveillance technologies.
“This legislation will increase transparency in the workplace and protect workers’ rights by preventing the abuse of workplace surveillance,” stated Representative Bonamici, emphasising the aim to prevent unwarranted surveillance and ensure employers disclose any monitoring activities.
The bill mandates that employers promptly disclose any data collection on workers in a conspicuous and easily accessible manner, including making such information available on the internet in a readable format. Further, it prohibits certain surveillance practices, such as off-duty data collection and activities that could hinder union organizing efforts.
In addition to addressing surveillance, the proposed legislation also addresses concerns regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in employment decisions. It seeks to restrict the collection of certain types of data, including health information unrelated to job performance, and aims to protect employees’ engagement with labor organizations.
Representative Deluzio stressed the importance of protecting employees from invasive surveillance technologies, advocating for workplaces that foster respect and dignity. “Workers deserve far better than a workday full of endless suspicion and surveillance; they should have a workplace with respect and dignity,” Deluzio said.
The legislation has garnered support from worker advocacy groups and unions, including the Communications Workers of America and the AFL-CIO.
This legislative effort aligns with another bill introduced by Representatives Deluzio and Bonamici earlier in March, which aims to safeguard job applicants from discrimination resulting from AI-based hiring practices. If passed, these bills would establish new divisions within the Department of Labor to address technology-related issues and worker protections.
