19 May 2022
The popularity of the Big Brother reality TV show relies on dozens of cameras capturing contestants’ every move but when it comes to nurses and midwives, the right to privacy is paramount.
Staff at an Aged Care facility in Adelaide’s northeast will continue to enjoy a cuppa, meals, personal phone calls or even a nap in privacy after their employer scrapped plans to install CCTV in their break room.
The Bolton Clark (Allity) Ridgehaven facility backdown follows advocacy by the ANMF (SA Branch) on behalf of its members.
“Considering the break room prohibits access from residents and visitors, we argue the break room is not a public place,” ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM said.
“Legislation aside, the employee-employer relationship is built on mutual trust and respect. As we can see no other reason for installing CCTV into the break room other than to monitor staff, we feel that this could cause mistrust of staff towards the organisation.”
The ANMF (SA Branch) had no objection to the facility’s plans to install CCTV in the residential common areas.