Employers in New York can generally use video cameras in the workplace for legitimate business reasons such as security, theft prevention, safety and dispute resolution, but there are firm limits. State law prohibits employers from recording employees in restrooms, locker rooms and rooms designated for changing clothes. Audio recording is regulated more strictly than video. Union agreements, workplace policies and other laws may add rules. The practical approach is to cover entrances, registers, stockrooms and work areas, avoid private spaces, tell employees what is recorded, write a short policy and limit who can see the footage.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Employment law is complex, and facts matter. Consult a New York employment attorney about your situation.
1. The Short Version
| Question | General answer |
|---|---|
| Can employers use video cameras in work areas? | Generally yes, for legitimate business purposes. |
| Can employers record in restrooms, locker rooms or changing rooms? | No. New York Labor Law section 203-c prohibits it. |
| Break rooms? | No specific statewide ban in the statute, but they raise privacy and policy issues. Be cautious. |
| Audio recording of employees? | High risk. Disable audio unless you have legal advice. |
| Notice to employees? | Not a one-size-fits-all statutory rule, but notice is strongly recommended. |
| Facial recognition or biometrics? | Special rules may apply, especially in NYC. See our biometric guide. |
| Who should see footage? | A limited group with a defined purpose. |
2. Labor Law Section 203-c
Labor Law section 203-c says no employer may cause a video recording to be made of an employee in a restroom, locker room or room designated by an employer for employees to change their clothes, unless authorized by court order. It also says a recording made in violation cannot be used by the employer for any purpose, and it allows civil remedies, including damages, attorney's fees and costs and injunctive relief, with an exception for law enforcement acting in authorized duties. Read the official text at nysenate.gov.
The practical meaning is clear: no cameras in restrooms, locker rooms or changing areas. Be careful about cameras that could see into those spaces when doors open, for example from a hallway.
3. Penal Law and Private Spaces
Beyond the Labor Law, Penal Law section 250.45 (unlawful surveillance in the second degree) is a class E felony covering secret recording in private settings such as bedrooms, restrooms, changing rooms and showers, without consent. See the text at nysenate.gov. Employers should treat any space where employees undress or use the toilet as completely off limits.
4. Audio at Work
Audio raises separate issues. New York's eavesdropping law, Penal Law section 250.05, is a class E felony, and section 250.00 defines mechanical overhearing of a conversation as intentionally overhearing or recording a conversation by someone not present, without the consent of at least one party. Recording employees' conversations through camera microphones could create exposure. Disable audio on cameras unless an attorney has approved a specific use, such as a clearly noticed customer service line. See our audio guide.
5. Notice: Why and How
New York does not have a single general statute requiring signs for all workplace video, but notice is widely considered best practice and may be part of other obligations in some settings. Benefits include fairness, deterrence, fewer disputes and evidence that employees were informed. Good notice includes:
- Visible signs at entrances and in areas with cameras.
- A written policy included in the employee handbook.
- An acknowledgment employees can sign.
- Clear statements of purpose, such as security and safety, and of who can view footage.
- Updates when you add cameras.
Ask your attorney about requirements that may apply to your industry or union agreements.
6. Break Rooms, Lounges and Lockers
Break rooms are gray areas. They are not mentioned by name in Labor Law section 203-c, but employees may use them to change shirts, pump breast milk, make phone calls or talk privately. A camera in a break room can create morale and legal issues. Consider alternatives: cameras at the entrance to the break room, cameras on supply cabinets or time clock areas, or no cameras at all inside. If the room is also used for changing, treat it as a changing room and do not record.
7. Where Workplace Cameras Make Sense
- Entrances, exits and loading docks.
- Cash registers and POS areas.
- Stockrooms and inventory areas.
- Parking lots and exterior.
- Server rooms and offices with sensitive records.
- Hallways and common areas.
- Production areas for safety.
8. Policy Basics
A short written policy helps. Consider including:
- Purpose. Security, safety, loss prevention and dispute resolution.
- Locations. Where cameras are used and where they are not.
- Notice. How employees are told.
- Access. Who can view footage, and under what circumstances.
- Retention. How long footage is kept, and how it is deleted.
- Use. What footage may and may not be used for.
- Requests. How police, employee and legal requests are handled.
- Audio. A statement that audio is not recorded, if true.
- Review. Who reviews the policy and when.
Revolvis can provide a camera map and documentation to support your policy.
9. Data Security Duties
Footage can include personal information. New York's SHIELD Act, General Business Law section 899-bb, requires businesses that own or license computerized data including private information of New York residents to maintain reasonable safeguards, with a scaled standard for small businesses. See the text at nysenate.gov. Video alone is not always "private information" under that statute, but employee records and access logs may be. Protect your recorder with strong passwords, limit access and keep software updated. See our guide to data security duties for New York businesses.
10. Special Rules in Certain Industries
Healthcare, childcare, finance, education and government workplaces may have special privacy or security rules that affect cameras. Unions may negotiate camera policies. Contractors for government agencies may need compliant equipment. Check with your attorney, your compliance officer and your contracts.
11. News Context
Workplaces, especially small businesses, are frequent targets of overnight burglaries. In September 2026, NYPD sought two suspects in 19 commercial burglaries across 16 Brooklyn neighborhoods, according to News 12. The report did not mention footage. In August 2026, ABC7 reported that thieves broke into several Bay Ridge restaurants overnight, and surveillance cameras captured a hooded figure with a flashlight searching a basement, according to ABC7 New York. Cameras in back offices and storerooms are valuable, and they are the kind of coverage that stays on the right side of employee-privacy rules.
NYPD reported burglary down 19.5% and retail theft down 15% citywide in May 2026 compared with May 2025 (NYPD).
12. Common Mistakes
Cameras that can see into restrooms or changing areas. Check angles when doors open.
Audio on by default. Many cameras ship with microphones enabled.
No notice. Employees should know cameras exist.
No access policy. Anyone with the password can watch and copy footage.
Using footage for unrelated purposes. Follow your policy.
Ignoring union agreements. Check your contract.
Keeping footage forever. Set and follow retention.
13. Rolling Out Cameras Without Hurting Morale
Employees often react to new cameras with suspicion. A smooth rollout helps. Explain the reasons, such as theft, safety and disputes, before the installer arrives. Show employees the camera map and what is not covered. Invite questions and write down the answers. Stress that cameras are not meant to monitor bathroom breaks or conversations, and that audio is off. Review the policy after a few months and adjust if employees raise fair concerns. A transparent approach tends to reduce complaints and makes it easier to use footage later when you need it.
14. Questions to Ask Your Installer
- Can you show me a camera map and what each camera sees?
- Can you apply privacy masks?
- Will audio be disabled by default?
- How will access be controlled?
- Can you help document the system for my policy?
- What is the retention period?
See our local pages for commercial camera installation in Manhattan, business installation in Brooklyn, Queens and commercial work in Staten Island.
Not sure what is safe to cover? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots.
More From Revolvis
Cameras are one layer of a secure property. The same in-house crew also handles the rest:
- Keyless entry installation and smart lock installation
- Access control systems and commercial access control
- Video doorbells and intercoms
- Alarm system installation
- Complete unified security
Learn more about Revolvis, meet the team, see all services, browse the blog or contact us.
Areas We Serve
Revolvis installs residential and commercial camera systems across the New York metro area. Every borough and county has its own building stock, rules and wiring challenges, so the plan for a Queens two-family is not the plan for a Manhattan co-op.
- Staten Island: houses, detached garages and shop fronts. See security camera installation in Staten Island.
- Brooklyn: brownstones, row houses and storefronts. See security camera installation in Brooklyn.
- Queens: attached brick homes, two-families and busy commercial strips. See security camera installation in Queens.
- The Bronx: pre-war buildings, bodegas and warehouses. See security camera installation in the Bronx.
- Manhattan: co-ops, condos, offices and retail. See security camera installation in Manhattan.
- Long Island: Nassau County and Suffolk County.
- New Jersey: Jersey City, Newark, Hoboken and nearby towns.
The full list is on the service areas page.
Get a Custom Quote After a Site Visit
Revolvis prices every job after a site visit, because the building sets the cost as much as the equipment does. A few things make the estimate faster and more accurate:
- The address and property type: house, apartment, co-op, condo, storefront or warehouse.
- Which doors, sides and areas you want covered, and what worries you most.
- Photos of those spots and any spots where you already have cabling or power.
- How many days of footage you want to keep and whether you want to watch on your phone.
- Any landlord, board, lender or insurer requirement.
Call 347-258-9165 or use the contact page to book a site visit. The quote you receive is written and itemized, so you can compare it line by line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my employer record me at work in New York? Generally yes in work areas for legitimate purposes, but not in restrooms, locker rooms or changing rooms.
Can my employer record audio? That is high risk under New York's eavesdropping law. Employers should disable audio unless they have legal advice.
Do employers have to tell employees about cameras? There is no single rule for all workplaces, but notice is strongly recommended and may be required in some situations.
Can there be cameras in a break room? There is no specific statewide ban in the statute, but break rooms raise privacy issues. Be cautious.
Who can view workplace footage? A limited group with a defined purpose, according to a written policy.
What if I think my employer is violating the law? Consider speaking with an employment attorney or the appropriate government agency.
Ready for a custom quote? Call Revolvis at 347-258-9165 for a site visit and a written, itemized estimate.
Safety note: A camera system supports, but does not replace, good locks, lighting, alarms and everyday habits. If you are in danger or witnessing a crime, call 911. Prices and legal summaries in this guide are general information for the New York metro area, not an offer or legal advice. A written quote after a site visit governs your actual price, and for legal questions you should confirm with the agencies linked in the article or a licensed attorney.