So I was at this business the other day, and they have, I believe, 4 bathrooms for about 50 people. 2 for men, 2 for women.
They have a sliding sign on each door, "Vacant," and "In Use." I had to use the restroom, and it was around the corner, and it was occupied so every minute or so I was getting up to see if it was "Vacant" yet.
I suggested to the guy who worked there, just in casual conversation... it wasn't an actual "system analysis" conversion, or anything, that they should put a webcam pointing at the outside of the doors so peeps could click a link on the intranet and see if the bathrooms are free without having to leave their offices, go down the hall, and check.
He said no, that was an invasion of peoples' privacy because if you watched long enough you would be able to see who was going in and out of the restrooms... and then you would know which of your coworkers had the basic human biological need to purge waste from their bodies.
I disagreed. Not an invasion of privacy.
So, what's our official DTMan position on this?
Edited By GORDON on 1350260682
Invasion of privacy?
50 people is a HUGE stretch considering only 80 people work in the entire company. Especially so when you consider 25 are remote sales people who don't live or work in town, and another 30 or so work exclusively in the plant...
The funniest part about this story is that Gordo never actually checked the door. I'm pretty sure nobody was actually in there the whole time he was waiting to use it. The previous occupant forgot to slide the sign back.
Speaking of stretches...
Not exactly what I said, but whatever.
Let's say it's not an invasion of privacy (it is). It's probably illegal. Watching to see how often someone is using the restroom has to broach medical privacy laws.
But let's say it's not even illegal. What employer wants to spend the money installing cameras outside bathrooms so their employees can watch them all day? Although, watching the stampedes in the hallways when a bathroom becomes free would be hilarious.
I won't even get into the trouble created by folks who become terrified about taking shits at work knowing that not only will people rush to the bathroom when they leave it, but they'll also know who was in there previously.
The funniest part about this story is that Gordo never actually checked the door. I'm pretty sure nobody was actually in there the whole time he was waiting to use it. The previous occupant forgot to slide the sign back.
Speaking of stretches...
He said no, that was an invasion of peoples' privacy because if you watched long enough you would be able to see who was going in and out of the restrooms... and then you would know which of your coworkers had the basic human biological need to purge waste from their bodies.
Not exactly what I said, but whatever.
Let's say it's not an invasion of privacy (it is). It's probably illegal. Watching to see how often someone is using the restroom has to broach medical privacy laws.
But let's say it's not even illegal. What employer wants to spend the money installing cameras outside bathrooms so their employees can watch them all day? Although, watching the stampedes in the hallways when a bathroom becomes free would be hilarious.
I won't even get into the trouble created by folks who become terrified about taking shits at work knowing that not only will people rush to the bathroom when they leave it, but they'll also know who was in there previously.
"Happy slaves are the worst enemies of freedom." - Marie Von Ebner
"It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies..." - Orwell
"It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies..." - Orwell
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thibodeaux
- Posts: 8121
- Joined: Thu May 20, 2004 7:32 pm
I thought about this exact thing last night, and I agree that it's the best solution.thibodeaux wrote:I think the potential for abuse is there. How about doing something like an airplane bathroom where the door lock controls the vacant sign?
I just don't think people want to go to the bathroom thinking about how Gordo is watching them...and touching himself.
"Happy slaves are the worst enemies of freedom." - Marie Von Ebner
"It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies..." - Orwell
"It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies..." - Orwell
I don't even think your wife wants that.GORDON wrote:I bet more people do want that, than don't.Leisher wrote:I just don't think people want to go to the bathroom thinking about how Gordo is watching them...and touching himself.
"Happy slaves are the worst enemies of freedom." - Marie Von Ebner
"It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies..." - Orwell
"It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies..." - Orwell
Thing is, that never happens. There are no vast lines. There's only Gordon doing the pee pee dance in my office.
"Happy slaves are the worst enemies of freedom." - Marie Von Ebner
"It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies..." - Orwell
"It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies..." - Orwell
