Goodbye Roll Call, Hello RFIDs

One more step down the path of 'Big Brother'.

Oh, my friends... rest assured Big Brother has made his appearance.

Active RFID systems are more and more common. These systems have the ability to track and log personnel activity within large facilities.

The value and true uses of such systems are hotly debated... most opposed argue the "Big Brother" point of view, while most in favor argue that the need to know trumps the rights of the individual, or argue that rights are not violated at all. I have witnessed some (almost violent) heated discussions regarding the impending implementation of an active RFID time and attendance systems.

School children? Are our youngsters being indoctrinated, thus the Kool-Aid will go down easier in later life?

I can visualize employers using this in place of time cards. This would save many hassles, and probably create new ones, such as the worrisome Big Brother concern.

Yes, like 'Why did you spend 5 hours in the bathroom this week?"

I'll give that a GA!! LOL

As long as they don't implant the RFID chips, it's defeatable. Just take off your badge or your jersey.

Why did you spend 5 hours in the bathroom? Oops I dropped my badge.

The trouble is, once they feel justified in having the chips carried around, they will be wanting to go all the way and make it permanent and not removable! As done with pets already. To avoid that 'mistake' with the 5 hour bathroom trip.

Perhaps I was not clear....I wasn't implying the person was in trouble for a 5 hour bathroom trip....but spending a total of 5 hours during the week. That's 1 hour a day during an 8 hour work day (could be one hour at a time, or spread out throughout the day). It will be difficult to argue ' I dropped my badge' 5 days in a row.

Good point... may I suggest that you leave your badge on your desk when you go to the washroom. I know I will, if it ever comes to that....

I generally do not spend that much time in the men's room (or women's room either as a matter of fact).

I suspect if companies go to RFIDs, they may incorporate them on employee badges which are required to be worn at all times. The company I am employed with requires us to wear such badges which are used to access certain parts of the building (i.e. if one is authorized). For all I know they are already tracking my location.

"...leave your badge on your desk ..."

This will leave the problem of passing thru controlled doors that require a badge.

This will leave the problem of a monitored door that senses a person, but no badge. This event will alert security. This will lead to your discovery, wandering the halls without your badge.

This will leave the problem of being discovered without your badge, and facing termination for violation of... well, whatever you have violated.

Facilities that utilize this technology have considered the resistance of the workforce, and there are measures in place to monitor compliance.

Once again, Big Brother is here, and here to stay.