Federal Labour Court: video surveillance in the workplace is allowed, but must not be disproportionate.


Not a few employers are likely to be inclined to monitor workplaces by video camera and recorded the events in order to prevent theft of or clear up. But such monitoring constitutes an interference with the general right of employees and requires the participation of the first works, if one exists in the company. In public spaces such as department stores, train stations and the like in addition, the provisions of the Federal Privacy Act shall be observed. But it is always necessary after a decision by the Federal Labour Court of 29 June 2004 a proportionality review in which the parties legal interests are weighed together.