New EEOC Guidance on the Use of “Wearables”
Last week, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released a fact sheet entitled, “ Wearables in the Workplace: The Use of Wearables and Other Monitoring Technology Under Federal Employment Discrimination Laws .” “Wearables,” defined as electronic or digital devices that contain sensors and are worn to track body movement, collect biometric information and track location, and include such tools as fitness trackers and smart watches. The EEOC fact sheet addresses issues that may arise when employers require employees to wear smart watches, rings, or helmets, for example, that track their movement and location and monitor their physical and emotional condition. In particular, the fact sheet discusses how federal employment discrimination laws apply when employers use wearables to collect and use this information, and their responsibility to provide reasonable accommodations in appropriate situations. The Use of Wearables at Work Boeing, Ford Motor Company, ...