What Are Best Practices for Ethical Use of Nanosensors for Worker Surveillance?

Abstract

Many employers now offer workers wearable or implantable devices that can monitor their health, productivity, and wellness. Nanotechnology enables even more powerful and functional monitoring capacity for these devices. A history of workplace monitoring programs suggests that, despite nanosensors' potential benefits to employers and employees, they can only be successful and sustainable when a company's motivations for offering them are acceptable and transparent to workers. This article describes 5 best practices for motivating nano-enabled worker monitoring programs that are acceptable, effective, and ethical. Workplace NanoethicsWorkplace applications of nanotechnology to date have primarily raised concerns about the exposure of workers in manufacturing and other jobs to potentially hazardous nanoparticle dusts. 1 However, as nanotechnology becomes more integrated into an ever-wider range and diversity of products, other occupational issues are starting to arise. One such issue is the use of nano-enabled electronic and microfluidic technologies to create powerful and miniature connected sensors that can be used for a variety of communication, monitoring, and surveillance functions. This paper addresses the ethical, legal, and policy implications of using nanosensors in mobile health (mHealth) products such as nano-enabled wearables, implants, and tattoos to monitor the activity, productivity, health, and wellness of employees. Workplace nanosensor applications have significant potential for win-win benefits by promoting the health, wellness, and productivity of workers, but they also raise profound ethical questions about employee privacy, security, and autonomy that must be carefully negotiated and managed. Accordingly, this paper suggests best practices for implementing nanotechnologies.