I applied for an apartment job that required having an audio recorder. I do not have a smart phone, but I do have a simple, voice activated recorder that fits in a breast pocket. I was never told why my recorder was not good enough, nor was I told what a shopper would be doing with a recorder.
Has anyone done this type of job? Could you tell me how the recorder is used, and then what is done with what is recorded?
Thanks!

You record the shop from start to finish then upload it to the company. Your recorder may have been disallowed for two reasons, it is voice activated only and/or it cannot upload to your computer. The second is self-explanatory. If your recorder is only voice activated it will stop instead of continuing to run while there are gaps in the conversation such as after you are greeted and waiting for the target. Silence is often as important as what is said.

It could depend on what type file your recorder saves the audio. Some systems will only support files such as MP3 or MP4, etc.

There is software out there that readily changes the format of audio files. I have a freebie one from Sony that is called Digital Voce Editor 3. (Sony had them available because it saves their files in .wav format).

You need to have a recorder which either has a removable memory card which you can remove and insert into your PC, a recorder which has a USB male connector built into it, or some other way to get the file onto a PC (could be a USB cord). Be careful because if all you have is an audio out, you might or might be able to connect it to your PC and you might or might not be able to create a file from the incoming audio depending upon what programs you have and what you know. You also have to have a recorder that will record for the entire time of the conversation. That is why I have a small Sony recorder (with a male USB connector which slides out for use) which uses microSD cards. They will each record hours of conversation.

I assume that you are aware of the issues of recording in a two-party consent state. For an apartment shop, they probably have the required written permission even in a two-party consent state.

Thank you Very much. I am definitely behind the times when it comes to audio uploading! Another world to learn. I can't imagine sending sound through my computer.

Word of caution on these..... Have been getting a ton of requests to complete these in a state that requires two party authorization.... Someone recently posted a nice link showing the laws state by state and I was wondering why the MSC is not abiding by it.

Why are you assuming the MSC is violating the law? A signed consent form from the employee is all it takes and they can then be recorded. When in doubt, just ask the MSC.

Flash....I hope you got my thanks for your thorough explanation of recording jobs.

Yup

LisaSTL that is true in a state where the employment laws allow for it. Not so in the state I am referring to. Personally I prefer to do the research on my own than challenge an MSC on their policy. My guess is that since they do business in so many different states they have overlooked the employment law in this particular state. But true it is my "guesstimate" only on that.

ishoparound,
Please see
[www.rcfp.org]
or
[www.detectiveservices.com];

The legal citations there make it clear that, given prior written informed consent of the employees audio recording is legal in all 50 sates. MSCs are doing legal recordings in all states when the employers comply with the state law.

Thank you walesmaven on these two new links. Will check them out. Am interested to see if these are worded the same way.

What state are you concerned about?

The links provided by walesmaven show the state I was referring to as "all party consent" versus the two party consent state that the original op provided for audio laws state by state. Bear in mind I am referring to "audio" shops only. Video is not my thing so I have never bothered to check it out.

While a bit complicated sticking with my original comment for this reason. All information shows it is illegal to privately audio record someone in this state whether by phone or in person. And while employers can ask you to sign a consent doing so is not legal/binding in a state with laws where it is illegal.

Hard to follow but its like this. If it is illegal to sell sheep in your state, your boss can ask you to consent to selling sheep in that state within the employment agreement but it is not valid/binding because the state law deems it illegal. Same holds true if the federal law deems something illegal. A private contract between two parties does not trump the state or federal law.

Some states also have fines for anyone doing so. In the state I mentioned it is $ 10,000.00 for anyone knowingly privately audio recording someone without first obtaining all party consent.

The way it reads for these "audio" on site shops the shopper would need to inform the target and anyone else in earshot that they are being recorded. IF the target or other refuses being recorded you must stop the recording.

Could it ultimately be argued in court? Sure anythings possible. Personally I prefer to just play it safe.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/06/2015 10:03PM by ishoparound.

I would not "guess" the MSC ignored employment law. Realistically I would never pretend we could not be in the line of fire for illegal recordings, but we also need to realize the employer and MSC will be right there with us. As lawsuits go, normally those with the deepest pockets are most at risk. I also don't understand your line of reasoning. Why would you not address the issue with the MSC? Without seeing the forms, you have no way to judge whether they are legally binding. In other words, you are just speculating. For the record, video shops are bound by the same laws since the laws are written for the audio portion. Video without audio is allowed except where someone has a reasonable expectation or privacy such as restrooms, locker rooms, etc.

Just not interested in taking the chance. This particular MSC deactivates you for initiating general conversation emails. I have asked them questions which were not well received in the past.

The thought of sitting in court exposing my identity, subjecting myself to a fine and relying that the MSC has done it's due diligence just doesn't appeal to me.

If the MSC had a good track record and the law was clear that the audio was permissible that might interest me..