OK, so now I'm a terrorist

[Ty_]

Today I finally took my camera into work. We have a nice lake on the campus with lots of ducks, turtles, geese, etc. I've been wanting to take pictures for a long time and, for some reason I'm embarrassed to be the only person around taking photos. I finally got the courage up and was walking around, shooting the birds around the lake. I rounded a corner and saw some geese. I shot about three pictures and, about that time, this lady came running up to me, huffing and out of breath. It was building security. She was OK with me taking pictures of a Heron, a co-worker and some ducks. But when I rounded the corner and she saw me point the camera toward the building, she had to put a stop to my taking pictures of the building. I calmly pointed to the two geese but that wasn't good enough. Suddenly, it was against company policy to take any pictures. No ducks, turtles, etc. I had to cease and desist. So she took my name and told me never to bring a camera around again. I'm sure all of the IT guys were pointing at me and laughing amongst themselves at the irony.

The offending Photo, taken in bad light , shadows, and, unbeknown to me, at ISO 1600:

[SCone]

So what does company policy have to say?

[Ty_]

Originally Posted by SCone

So what does company policy have to say?

With frequent layoffs, the threat of unemployment is always in the back of my mind. I didn't rock the boat. I wanted to ask her to show me the policy on paper but didn't think the fight was worth it. I told my boss and he had a good laugh on me.

[zachary]

Originally Posted by Ty_

With frequent layoffs, the threat of unemployment is always in the back of my mind. I didn't rock the boat. I wanted to ask her to show me the policy on paper but didn't think the fight was worth it. I told my boss and he had a good laugh on me.

Was this your company?

[peeker]

I would have taken a picture of her.

[KenJulio]

It must have been the pattern of the rock garden that is company's secret.....

It's really nothing new though, given that companies are purchasing smartphones without cameras due to a potential sexual harassment event. Be wary of PETA now......

[Some Idiot]

It's BS how "scared" people act about a camera, what about a camera on a cell phone, are you allowed to bring that to work?

Sorry they gave you crap, I know the feeling first hand

[jkderby]

Like a terrorist is going to walk around with a camera you can see. With todays cell phones and the small point a shoot with 15 megapixels and great zoom lenses, terrorist would not even use a DSLR.

[dmarty78]

Top secret geese. They sneak behind enemy lines and eat all of the crickets.

[andyz]

Are the buildings seen from public areas? Are they on Google Maps?

I think sometimes this gives a security person, a security thing to do. Many people don't know the law or policy, only what they were told or think it is, without ever having been correctly trained.

[SCone]

Whether you choose to stand & fight or not is not the issue... if the stated policy is NO PHOTOGRAPHY, then you have no right to take photos... it's POLICY... but if there is no stated policy on photography, then you are not violating any policy and can decide whether you wish to rock the boat or not... bear in mind, whatever POLICY states, that is what you have agree to while you work for the company

[BenE]

Originally Posted by SCone

Whether you choose to stand & fight or not is not the issue... if the stated policy is NO PHOTOGRAPHY, then you have no right to take photos... it's POLICY... but if there is no stated policy on photography, then you are not violating any policy and can decide whether you wish to rock the boat or not... bear in mind, whatever POLICY states, that is what you have agree to while you work for the company

I am no lawyer... end of disclaimer.

Even though he is an employee, his rights are no lesser or greater than anyone else. I am assuming he was on company property, which means it is private. While on private property, even employees are subject to the regulations of the property owner. Whether there is a written policy or not if a person is asked to stop taking photographs by some authority, in this case the security person, they must comply.

There does not have to be a sign to that effect anywhere on the property. The company might not have any written policy, but he would still have to stop when asked, the same as any non employee would.

Had this employee asked before about taking photographs, things might have turned out differently. Many times a simple visit to the security office solves problems such as this.

[CaptainG]

Now, you can see the irony of airline pilots taking their shoes off when going through security.

[Howard Barlow]

Originally Posted by CaptainG

Now, you can see the irony of airline pilots taking their shoes off when going through security.

Yeah, that prevents them from intentionally flying the plane into something.

[Ty_]

Originally Posted by BenE

I am no lawyer... end of disclaimer.

Even though he is an employee, his rights are no lesser or greater than anyone else. I am assuming he was on company property, which means it is private. While on private property, even employees are subject to the regulations of the property owner. Whether there is a written policy or not if a person is asked to stop taking photographs by some authority, in this case the security person, they must comply.

There does not have to be a sign to that effect anywhere on the property. The company might not have any written policy, but he would still have to stop when asked, the same as any non employee would.

Had this employee asked before about taking photographs, things might have turned out differently. Many times a simple visit to the security office solves problems such as this.

I have no argument with you except for the last paragraph. Nothing posted, nothing in writing, nothing online suggests that I can't take photos on company property. I politely ceased when asked. Had my situation been a little different, I do think I had the right to ask for documentation. After all, the security people are not direct or indirect supervisors and really do not hold any authority over me as far as I know. Their authority is implied.

As far as checking with the security office before taking the photos, really? Do you ask permission of your employer for everything that you do that is not in writing? I'm going to respectfully disagree with you on that.

Someone else asked if the grounds can be seen on Google. Yes, they are at Google's max resolution at max zoom. You can't, however, see the cubicles that I could have potentially photographed yesterday.