Do Workplace Surveillance Systems Provide More than Safety? Research Says, Yes.

Unquestionably, one of the most valuable tools in crime prevention in the workplace is a quality video surveillance system. Video systems also increase customer and employee safety and can be very helpful in uncovering the course of disputed events. While those reasons alone are benefits no business owner should overlook, research shows that there is an additional advantage of video surveillance systems in the area of employee performance.

Research Shows Surveillance Systems can Help Boost Profitability

“Cleaning House: The Impact of Information Technology Monitoring on Employee Theft and Productivity, a recent study by Lamar Pierce, associate professor at the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis; Daniel Snow, associate professor at the Marriott School at Brigham Young University; and Andrew McAfee, research scientist at the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, showed that the use of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in the workplace is even more valuable than imagined.

In the study, researchers installed CCTV in 392 “casual dining” chains in 39 states across the US and implemented computer software that measured employee-level theft before and after the installation of the surveillance system. The restaurant industry was the focus of the study for several reasons, including an expected high level of employee theft. During the study, managers of the restaurants received electronic alerts throughout the study in instances where employee theft was strongly suspected.

Fascinating Results

Researchers found the results at the conclusion of the study very interesting. While the average savings from the alerts were modest at around $108 per week per restaurant, the weekly revenue increased by an average of $2,982 a week after installing surveillance and monitoring software.

The increased profit was not due to a decrease in employee theft but was largely due to changed employee work behaviors. While knowingly under monitoring and surveillance, employees changed unethical behaviors as well as applied new positive energy to into their jobs.

About JM Resources

JM Resources is proud to offer advanced solutions in commercial video surveillance. If you would like more information about this tool that is so much more than a safety feature, give us a call at (610) 992-9300.