Ethical Use Of Wearable Technology In The Workplace

Technology is ever-changing, and impacts our lives in various ways. All advances in technology makes our lives much more efficient, but often creates additional issues or concerns. As technology advances, we are exposed to more privacy, security, and legal issues which we would not normally encounter prior to implementing cybertechnology. "Companies often push the limits of technology and privacy internally, when using wearable technology within the workplace” (Yach, 2015, Para.3). The discussion on how the implementation of newer technologies affects consumers or employees are often never discussed. The question “Is this, morally right?” is never asked, and people never take into consideration how much ethical principles should be applied

“Companies may need to restrict or ban the use of wearable technology where employees have access to valuable intellectual property” (Goodwin, 2014, Para.15-17). With the legal, security, and privacy challenges that wearable technology presents, employers must approach implementing to use of wearable technology carefully. “Wearables present a new dynamic in the workplace, we are at the cusp of what could be a dramatically different relationship between employers and employees” (Jayanthi, 2016, Para.5). Employers need to establish policies to help them protect their intellectual property, and be make sure that they do not infringe upon their employees’ rights to privacy when introducing wearable technology into the workplace. According to Senator Chuck Schumer (2015), “wearable technology is a privacy nightmare because all data collected through these devices are stored in servers owned and maintained by the device providers” (“The downside of wearable fitness technology”, 2015, Para.4). “The technology could also raise new data protection issues, if companies use it to display sensitive data about their customers” (Goodwin, 2014, Para.17). When new technologies hit the market, consumers become overly excited and buy the gadget without considering what that is fully capable of doing. “What most consumers don't realize is a potential big downside to these smart devices is the potential loss of privacy.” (“The downside of wearable fitness technology”, 2015, Para.4). Wearable technology devices that have the capability to capture and track sensitive data of the employee and employer are making their way into consumers’ homes and