Islamabad — The Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH) has declared that excessive CCTV monitoring of employees constitutes workplace harassment, in a landmark ruling aimed at safeguarding dignity and privacy at work.
The judgment came in a case filed by a female staff member of a private educational institute in Rawalpindi, where Ombudsperson Fauzia Viquar imposed a fine of Rs. 50,000 on the institution’s CEO for misusing surveillance cameras to intimidate her.
CCTV used to harass staff
The complainant alleged she was subjected to constant monitoring and even received CCTV images sent directly to her, creating a hostile and intimidating environment.
After reviewing the evidence, FOSPAH concluded that the surveillance was unnecessary, discriminatory, and a form of harassment under the law. The ombudsperson ordered the CEO to pay compensation to the victim and issued a formal censure.
Workplace reforms ordered
The institution has been directed to implement reforms, including:
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Formation of an inquiry committee on harassment cases
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Public display of a workplace code of conduct in both English and Urdu
FOSPAH emphasized that harassment is not limited to inappropriate advances but also covers any act that undermines dignity, privacy, or instills fear among employees.
In a statement, the ombudsperson’s office said: “This ruling reinforces that surveillance cannot be weaponized to target or control staff. Respect for privacy and dignity is a core workplace right.”