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'I feel like we’re being watched': Cafe worker claims manager secretly recorded staff conversations
A cafe worker in England has alleged that their manager secretly records staff conversations through CCTV audio.
A cafe worker in England has claimed that their manager secretly records staff conversations through CCTV audio, sparking an online debate about workplace surveillance and privacy. The post, shared on Reddit, has drawn widespread reactions from users questioning whether such monitoring is legal or ethical in a customer facing environment.
The worker described the work environment as uncomfortable and said they often feel closely monitored during shifts. According to the post, there were no visible notices for employees or customers and the practice was not mentioned in their contract.
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Allegations of constant monitoring at workplace
In the post, the worker wrote that the manager frequently listens to staff conversations and closely monitors employee behaviour through CCTV. They also claimed that colleagues believe the manager spends long hours reviewing footage and reacting to minor issues in real time.
The worker further alleged that a private conversation between them and a coworker about management style was later picked up through the CCTV system. After this, they claim their shifts were reduced. They also said that minor mistakes were often escalated, including screenshots from CCTV footage being used as evidence of poor performance.
The worker described the environment as feeling less like a cafe and more like a space under constant surveillance, adding that even casual conversations between staff appeared to be monitored.
The post read, “Manager secretly recording conversations and getting angry about what we say. I have been working at this cafe and honestly my manager is unhinged. From the very first day they snapped at me to put my phone away. Since then they have been watching us closely. There is CCTV in the cafe and I later found out it records audio too. We were never told about it and there are no notices either. It feels like we are being watched all the time.”
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Privacy concerns spark online debate
Online users reacted strongly to the post, with many questioning the legality and ethics of such surveillance practices.
One user commented, “Not sure of the legality in England, but in most places, if cameras are visible on private property, it is legal. It is still uncomfortable though.”
Another user suggested escalating the issue, writing, “If this is just a manager, report her to the owner. He should react if he is a normal person and knows what is going on. If not, document everything and file a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office regarding illegal surveillance and lack of privacy notices.”
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A third comment simply read, “No, she is nuts.”
The post continues to circulate online, with users divided over where the line should be drawn between workplace monitoring and employee privacy, especially in customer facing environments.
