Wearable Tech Guidance Highlights Data Risk for In-House Counsel

New guidance about wearable technology in the workplace is a reminder to corporate legal teams of the need to carefully weigh the benefits and risks of collecting employee data to avoid bias allegations.

The guidance, issued last month by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, warns companies that federal law may apply to technology like rings or glasses that collect biometric data about employees’ physical or mental condition. The wearables in question include smart watches that monitor vital signs and devices equipped with the global positioning system to track employee location.

The EEOC document is an important reminder for companies ...