Regulating the Private Sector

The digitalization of modern workplaces has accelerated the adoption of Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) and surveillance technologies, transforming organizational efficiency and control. While offering operational benefits, these tools pose critical threats to employee privacy, autonomy, and fairness. This chapter examines the ethical and legal challenges of digital monitoring, highlighting gaps in current data protection frameworks. It explores issues such as algorithmic bias, consent under power asymmetry, psychological harm, and cross-border data risks. Arguing for comprehensive legal reform, the chapter advocates a human-centric model emphasizing proportionality, transparency, and participatory governance. Proposed solutions include Workplace Surveillance Impact Assessments, algorithmic audits, and employee involvement in monitoring decisions. By aligning legal innovation with ethical responsibility, the chapter offers pathways to balance technological advancement with fundamental employee rights