General news

These may be the words of one FSU member, but they resonate strongly for so many of us who work in the finance sector. 

As we know, monitoring and surveillance of workers is rife in our sector. From swiping in and out of the office, to tracking every keystroke and mouse click… to then having that data crunched by AI and determining whether we’re working hard enough.  

And it all happens in an almost entirely unregulated environment. 

Now, an inquiry into workplace surveillance in Victoria has recommended that the government introduce new workplace surveillance laws that are technology neutral, and which require employers to prove that any surveillance is reasonable, necessary and proportionate to achieve a legitimate objective. 

The inquiry also recommended that employers be required to notify and consult with employees about surveillance, and inform workers of how surveillance data will be collected, used and stored.  

It all seems reasonable to us – and we’re pleased that many of the committee’s recommendations align with much of what the FSU called for in our submission to the inquiry. 

In particular, our submission called for: 

• employees having the right to access any information generated through surveillance on them. 
• more consultation on how surveillance is conducted. 
• greater data security, including limitations on the sale/use of employee data. 
• having human oversight of AI decisions. 
• full function and updated uses of surveillance being disclosed to workers. 

The committee’s recommendations are a step in the right direction towards regulating what is largely an unregulated area. 

Now they must be acted upon – and implemented right across Australia. 

AMP’s contract debacle a reason for reform 

Importantly, had the proposals outlined in the committee’s report been in place, we would not have endured the debacle that unfolded in recent months regarding AMP’s dodgy contracts.  

In what was perhaps the clearest example of surveillance overreach we have seen, AMP staff were asked to sign new employment contracts that would have enabled AMP to carry out continuous video surveillance of them, including when working from home.   

After fierce and swift public backlash, AMP later backed down on their intention to surveil employees in their homes. 

But it shouldn’t have been allowed to happen in the first place. Moreover, employees should not have to fight to protect our own privacy. 

When it comes to preventing employers from undertaking unfair and unnecessary surveillance, transparency is key.  

Indeed, it is one of the major themes of our national campaign AI in Finance: Transparency, Voice, Fairness. As AI becomes more integrated into our industry, it’s vital that workers share in the benefits. That means ensuring that AI is adopted ethically and in a way that minimises potential risks. 

These recommendations are a good start, and we call on the Victorian Government to implement them – and for all governments, including the Federal Government, to follow. 

Read more about our AI campaign and sign up here.