A Dutch court has condemned an American company for violating the fundamental rights of a Dutch employee.
The company indeed required its employee to leave his webcam on during his teleworking hours.
Telework monitored by webcam?
It has been a few long months now that telework (or remote work) has become democratized in many companies. Many employees were able to discover teleworking (often in spite of themselves) during the various confinements linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. A way of working considered very comfortable for many workers, with a few exceptions, however…
Indeed, a Dutch court has just ruled in favor of an employee of the American firm Chetu, which wanted to require him to turn on his webcam for up to nine hours a day to monitor his activities. Faced with his refusal, the company ended up firing the man for ” refusal to work ” and ” insubordination “. The case was recently dealt with by the local justice.
It’s no for Dutch justice
In his defence, the Dutch employee indicated that he did not feel comfortable about being constantly monitored. ” It’s an invasion of my privacy and I feel really uncomfortable. That’s the reason my camera wasn’t on “he said in particular at the bar.
For its part, the court indicated that the surveillance by camera for eight hours a day is not only a disproportionate measure, but that the practice is also prohibited in the Netherlands. Furthermore, the Chetu company is also accused of having violated article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Also, the dismissal was deemed unfair, and the company was forced to pay a fine of $50,000, as well as back wages, court costs and the remaining vacation days of its ex-employee. He was also asked to remove a non-competition clause.
Source : Engadget
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