OTTAWA — Justice Canada has expanded its deployment of heat and motion sensors under employees’ desks and in common areas, prompting worries among staff and their union that the devices might track office attendance despite official denials.
New Phase in Sensor Pilot Project
Officials launched a new phase of the project on January 12, which began in 2023 to assess office space utilization. This third phase targets additional workplaces and runs until mid-March, after which the sensors will be removed from desks, according to department spokesperson Ian McLeod.
The expansion coincides with the government’s plan to increase mandatory office days for public servants from three to four starting in July. Sensors detect human presence at workstations or rooms without identifying individuals, cameras, or microphones, the department memo states.
“Sensors indicate when there is a person present, or when a workstation or room is empty. They do not include cameras or microphones, and they do not indicate ‘who’ is present,” the memo explains. McLeod emphasized, “These devices are not used to track employee attendance. They do not record sound, images, or identities.”
The pilot aims to inform office planning, including layouts, meeting rooms, quiet areas, and shared spaces, with heat and motion data ensuring accuracy while preserving anonymity.
Employee and Union Backlash
Many Justice Canada employees remain skeptical. One described the sensor under their desk as “creepy.” Others pointed out less intrusive alternatives, like managers observing spaces directly. “It cannot be cheaper to install whatever this is than just have a manager walk around,” one staff member noted.
The Association of Justice Counsel (AJC), representing federal government lawyers, confirmed widespread member concerns. Spokesperson Sayward Montague highlighted questions about sensor capacity, health risks, data collection, and usage, which the employer has not adequately addressed.
Montague added that lawyers often have assigned workspaces due to professional requirements, making monitoring feasible. The department has not shared updates on data usefulness or project impacts beyond the expansion announcement. AJC members face real office challenges, including scarce workspaces, pest infestations, and poor ventilation or heating, which sensors do not resolve.
Labour Expert Weighs In
Veteran labour lawyer Marc Boudreau, owner of Quebec-based CMB Avocats, views the sensors as non-invasive since they lack recording or filming capabilities. “I don’t think it is (invasive), insofar as there is no recording, there is no filming and they’re just checking to see if there is someone sitting or not sitting and it’s at the office,” he said.
However, Boudreau questioned the stated purpose, adding, “But no one is going to make me believe that this is for office ergonomics.” He affirmed employers’ rights to monitor usage and attendance within limits.
