Cover all
the angles
Read more articles in: Amanda Hyam, Blog, Employment Law
9 October 2026
Last month, Wetherspoon’s boss Sir Tim Martin placed a ban on the use of Meta glasses in all 800 pubs across the UK over fears of privacy intrusions for staff and customers.
These glasses are not like your reading glasses. They hold built-in cameras, speakers, microphones and artificial intelligence models that allow users to film and take photos discreetly.
These clandestine recording devices have risen in popularity over the years, with the fear now being that they will enter the workplace.
Meta glasses in the workplace can pose significant risks for employees and customers, especially in customer-facing roles like hospitality.
The introduction of smart glasses into the workplace raises a number of privacy and security concerns, particularly because their cameras can be built into the frames without being immediately obvious.
Although recording indicators may be present, employees could still worry about being captured without their knowledge or permission.
This can have a wider impact on workplace relationships. Customers may feel uncomfortable knowing they could be recorded while interacting with staff, while employees may become more cautious in their day-to-day interactions.
If the technology is used to record colleagues or managers, it could also damage workplace trust and create an environment where people feel they are being watched.
There is also the possibility of the technology being used inappropriately to target particular employees. Where recording is carried out secretly or repeatedly, it could contribute to harassment and make individuals feel unsafe or intimidated at work.
The cameras could unintentionally capture confidential material such as internal documents, source code, financial information or other commercially sensitive content. This creates a risk that valuable intellectual property could be exposed without the employee even realising it has been recorded.
Personal information presents a similar problem. If the glasses happen to capture someone’s personal data or health information, the organisation could potentially find itself facing data protection issues, including obligations under regulations such as GDPR.
This could happen accidentally rather than as the result of deliberate employee action, making it particularly difficult for businesses to monitor and control.
In spite of some of the concerns around Meta glasses in the workplace, there are some distinct accessibility positives of their use in the workplace.
The glasses have built-in AI descriptions, Be My Eyes integration and open-ear audio, which can help employees with accessibility needs receive spoken descriptions of their surroundings.
Additionally, they can support people with visual impairments with navigation, allowing users to move around unfamiliar surroundings.
These arrangements often come at a much lower price point than specialist medical hardware, as they are priced as mainstream consumer technology.
While some employers may want to follow in Wetherspoons footsteps and place a blanket ban on the glasses, they must consider the accessibility needs of employees before doing so.
While in England and Wales clandestine recording isn’t illegal, there are steps that employers can put in place to ensure that it doesn’t happen within the workplace.
This, of course, should only come after strict considerations towards accessibility have been taken into account. This can be done by adding an accessibility clause into policies, ensuring those who need the technology can use it.
Our team understand that changing technology can create additional stress for employers. That is why we are here to support you when implementing policies surrounding Meta glasses in the workplace.
We can make policies that allow your staff to feel safe and support their accessibility needs.
Want to learn more about how we can support you with Meta glasses in the workplace? Get in touch with our team.
