What aspect of workplace surveillance can lead to legal issues?

Workplace surveillance can lead to legal issues primarily due to concerns surrounding issues of consent. When employees are monitored or surveilled in the workplace, it raises significant questions about whether they have been properly informed about the surveillance and whether they have consented to it.

In many jurisdictions, laws require employers to inform employees that surveillance is taking place and to specify the nature and scope of such monitoring. If an employer fails to obtain consent or to provide adequate notification, they may find themselves in violation of privacy laws, leading to potential legal action from employees. This aspect of consent is particularly crucial in maintaining a balance between the employer's right to monitor for productivity and security purposes and the employee's right to privacy in the workplace.

The other options touch on different relevant issues but do not have the same direct legal implications as consent. Employee productivity and company policies may inform or justify surveillance practices, and while surveillance equipment cost is a practical consideration for businesses, it does not inherently lead to legal issues as consent does.