Lawyers are warning that employers may need to do more to protect staff from being filmed by customers wearing Meta glasses, following the introduction of new workplace harassment laws.
Recent changes to the Employment Rights Act 2025 mean every employer in Scotland will face a tougher legal test on harassment or sexual harassment.
Earlier this year, Michelle De Jager was filmed by a customer wearing Meta glasses at her work without her knowledge or consent.
It was later posted across multiple social media platforms and has since been viewed almost five million times.
Michelle told STV News: “I remember being approached by these two men, just being asked quite odd questions, obviously seen in the video.
“A few people said to me afterwards, ‘did you not know you were being filmed, did you not look at the glasses?’ And I was like, what glasses? Because I didn’t know at the time the glasses were a thing.”
STV NewsMichelle is one of a growing number of workers filmed in supermarkets, coffee shops and fast-food restaurants across the country and posted online.
“There were people that I hadn’t spoken to in about ten years that sent me the video and were like, ‘Have you seen this?” Michelle added.
“It was an early morning shift, I’d gotten ready in about five minutes, and then I’m being posted online – obviously not feeling my best, which I wouldn’t do myself – so it felt a bit uncomfortable that somebody else has done that for me.
“There were a few comments that had been like ‘oh, she looks very different’ or just little things like that.
“That’s my workplace. I shouldn’t be filmed without consent.
“It does feel a bit like an invasion of privacy.”
She says the experience has made her more cautious around customers while at work.
STV News“If anybody approached wearing glasses, I’d think: ‘Am I being filmed right now?’. I still to this day feel a bit uneasy when someone asks me for anything.”
The glasses have sparked growing controversy this year, with a number of organisations taking action to ban them – including CalMac ferries and Comic Con events.
Meta says a bright white light should flash to alert people when content is being captured and that the camera will automatically disable if the glasses detect the light has been covered or tampered with.
But despite this, people have been sharing ways online to get around it.
The controversy has even reached Holyrood, with calls to restrict the use of the glasses in Parliament amid concerns over privacy and security.
While privacy concerns are growing, supporters say the technology can have significant benefits.
STV NewsAt Aberdeen Indoor Bowling Club, the Meta glasses have proved a hit with some visually impaired players.
David Cox was registered blind in 2018. Although he only started using the glasses this year, he says they’ve been life-changing.
“We need things like this because It’s difficult enough being visually impaired or even blind. It’s like having a (guide) dog.” David said.
“If they banned them, I would be back to square one. I wouldn’t be able to find things that I’m needing to look for, and I wouldn’t be able to read again. I can read a newspaper now because my glasses will read it.”
Since October 2024, employers have had to take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment of staff. Changes introduced on October 30 raised that duty to ‘all reasonable steps’.
Employment lawyers are now warning that Meta glasses could create fresh challenges for businesses in protecting staff.
STV NewsLiam Entwistle, partner and employment law specialist at Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP (WJM) said:”It’s the tip of the iceberg, and I think a lot of the things you’re seeing now are employers who are being caught cold because they haven’t had a chance to put in place the risk assessments and the discussions, the signage, taking the steps that they need to take.
“There’s a lot of hard yards to be done for employers to properly protect themselves and protect their colleagues and their employees.”
STV News approached the creators who posted the video of Michelle but received no response.
In a statement, Meta said: “Our glasses continue to be very popular, and we’re continuing to expand styles and features.
“The people who use them and those around them need to trust them.
“That’s why every pair with a camera has a bright light on the front that blinks when you take a photo or video — it can’t be turned off, and the camera is disabled if someone covers or tampers with it.”
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