https://doi.org/10.1177/0143831X20917453 Economic and Industrial Democracy 1–15 © The Author(s) 2020 Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions DOI: 10.1177/0143831X20917453 journals.sagepub.com/home/eid Workplace biometrics: Protecting employee privacy one fingerprint at a time Peter Holland Swinburne Business School, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia Tse Leng Tham RMIT University, Australia Abstract This article examines the contested terrain of protecting or providing biometric data in the workplace. Through a major case study in Australia, a decision to terminate employment on the grounds of non-consent for biometric data to be collected was overturned through the legislative system. The case is important in that it highlights the increased impetus to collect such data and the arbitrary nature of legal protection. However, the results of this significant case do provide improved clarity and guidance on the usage, collection, storage and management of biometric data. It also signals to management the need to understand employees’ rights and their own obligations around the informational privacy of employees. Keywords Biometrics, data security, employee consent, fingerprints, privacy Introduction Whilst monitoring and surveillance has been a fundamental aspect of the employee rela- tionship for centuries, work has evolved and along with it, ever more sophisticated ways have been developed to monitor and observe the workforce. In recent times, such devel- opments are due largely to the advance of information technology and communications (ICT) which have created a profound shift in not just the way work is carried out, but the extent to which monitoring and surveillance has evolved especially in the first two Corresponding author: Peter Holland, Swinburne Business School, Swinburne University of Technology, BA Building, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia. Email: pjholland@swin.edu.au 917453EID 0 0 10.1177/0143831X20917453Economic and Industrial DemocracyHolland and Tham research-article 2020 Article