A key initiative in my platform is Workplace Surveillance Protections, focused on ensuring that every Stations employee is treated fairly, with their privacy and rights respected. This initiative includes Surveillance Protection—to ensure surveillance systems are used only for safety and operational efficiency, not for punitive or invasive purposes. It also advocates for broader protections that prioritize employee well-being and dignity in the workplace.

Why EMployee Rights Matter

• Surveillance Protection for Employee Privacy: Surveillance cameras are an important tool for ensuring safety and operational efficiency in our stations, but they should never be used to monitor employees for punitive purposes. This initiative ensures that all surveillance is used solely for the purpose of safety, crime prevention, and operational improvements, and not to unjustly monitor or discipline workers. Employees should feel confident that their actions are not being unfairly scrutinized and that their privacy is respected.

• Preventing Punitive Use of Surveillance: Employees should not have to worry about being micromanaged or punished for minor infractions caught on camera. This initiative would establish clear rules about how surveillance footage can be used, ensuring it is never leveraged to penalize workers for minor or unrelated issues. Surveillance should be a tool for creating a safer, more efficient workplace—not a way to control or intimidate employees.

• Protecting Against Invasive Monitoring: Beyond surveillance cameras, it’s essential that other forms of monitoring—such as GPS tracking, communication monitoring, or biometric systems—are used only for operational purposes and not to invade employees’ privacy. This initiative ensures that all forms of monitoring in the workplace are transparent, with clear limits on their use.

• Protection from Harassment and Discrimination: This initiative also strengthens protections against workplace harassment & discrimination. Every employee deserves to work in an environment free from harassment, bias, or discrimination. I will ensure that policies are in place to swiftly and effectively address any instances of harassment or discrimination, creating a safe, respectful workplace for all.

• Stronger Whistleblower Protections: Employees who speak up about unsafe working conditions, violations of rights or other concerns should be protected from retaliation. This initiative will strengthen whistleblower protections, ensuring that anyone who reports violations of safety or workplace standards is safeguarded against punitive actions.

The Economic Impact

• Improved Employee Morale and Productivity: Employees who feel their rights are respected and protected are more likely to be engaged and productive. A fair workplace leads to higher morale & better job satisfaction. When employees know they are being treated fairly and that their privacy is respected, they are more likely to contribute positively to the workplace, leading to greater efficiency and effectiveness in their roles.

• Lower Legal Costs for the MTA: By putting clear policies in place that protect employees' rights and privacy, this initiative can help reduce the costs of legal disputes related to privacy violations, harassment, and discrimination. Preventing workplace violations and ensuring fair treatment will reduce the likelihood of costly lawsuits or settlements, saving the MTA money in the long run.

• Creating a Safer, More Trustworthy Work Environment: Clear and fair surveillance and privacy policies foster trust between employees and management. Employees will feel more secure knowing that monitoring is being used for the right reasons—safety and operational efficiency—and not as a way to punish or control them. This leads to a healthier, safer work environment for all.

Why This Matters Now

• Responding to Increased Use of Technology in the Workplace: With more advanced surveillance and monitoring systems being implemented, it’s crucial to establish protections that ensure these technologies are used ethically. This initiative ensures that as technology becomes more integrated into our workspaces, it is used in a way that benefits employees—not to control or punish them unfairly.

• Protecting Employee Rights Amid Changing Work Conditions: As the work environment evolves, so must our approach to employee rights. Whether it’s navigating new forms of workplace monitoring, ensuring protection from harassment or advocating for fair representation, this initiative is about ensuring that employees’ rights are protected in a modern, dynamic work environment.

• Ensuring Privacy in the Workplace: Every employee has the right to privacy, and this initiative establishes clear boundaries on how surveillance and monitoring can be used. Whether it's camera footage, GPS tracking, or communication monitoring, employees deserve to know that their privacy is respected, and their data is not being misused.

Fairness, Privacy & Respect

Workplace Rights and Protections are about creating a fair, safe, and respectful work environment for every Stations employee. By ensuring that surveillance is used only for safety and operational efficiency, and not for punitive or invasive purposes, and expanding protections to include better anti-harassment policies and whistleblower protections, we are building a stronger, more equitable workplace.

This initiative reflects our commitment to dignity, fairness, and privacy in the workplace. Together, we can ensure that every employee’s rights are respected, their privacy is protected, and their voice is heard. Let’s work toward a future where every Stations employee can thrive in a workplace that prioritizes their rights and well-being.