[PA] Is it illegal for a coworker to use workplace cameras to zoom in on my personal phone without authorization?

Lexi, Chatbot

I'm sorry to hear that you're dealing with this situation; it must be quite unsettling. Can you tell me if you have reported this incident to your supervisor or HR department?

Lexi, Chatbot

Have there been any previous incidents of harassment or privacy invasion involving this employee?

Lexi, Chatbot

Is there anything else the employment lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured they'll be able to help with your privacy invasion.

Richard

Hello. My name is Richard and I have been a licensed attorney for over 25 years and hope to be of assistance. Please be advised that this website is for information purposes only and I cannot formally represent customers of this website or perform actual legal services on your behalf.

I understand you're dealing with a situation where another employee was caught zooming in on your personal phone at work. Could you tell me more about any further actions you've considered taking regarding this privacy invasion?

Richard

It's good that you're planning to go to HR. Could you let me know where you're located? This can help me understand the legal context better. Also, have there been any other incidents with this employee that you know of?

Richard

What state are you in?

Richard

Yes, I can see your response. Thank you.

Richard

In Pennsylvania, what happened could potentially raise workplace privacy and harassment concerns, though it’s not typically considered illegal in the criminal sense unless the camera use violates specific laws on surveillance or invasion of privacy. (18 PA Cons Stat § 5703)

Here’s the breakdown:

1. Workplace camera use: Employers can generally use surveillance in common work areas for legitimate business reasons (e.g., safety or security), but employees are not permitted to misuse that access for personal reasons. If the cameras were used to zoom in on your personal phone or private messages, that’s outside legitimate business purposes.
2. Privacy expectation: Even though you were at work, you have a reasonable expectation of privacy in personal communications on your own phone. The act of another employee zooming in could be considered harassment or inappropriate surveillance under company policy. (18 PA Cons Stat § 2709)
3. Company responsibility: Since management has already limited camera access but hasn’t addressed the individual’s conduct directly, you should document the incident and report it to HR formally in writing. That helps establish a record in case the behavior continues or retaliatory action occurs.
4. If it continues: Repeated surveillance or targeting by that employee could constitute a hostile work environment, which HR is required to address.

When you meet with HR on Monday, stick to the facts — include the date, what you observed or were told, and how the company responded so far. Ask that the matter be investigated under the company’s privacy and conduct policies.

Richard

No problem.