What is the law regarding CCTV in the workplace.

[shiznit]

My company has installed a lot of CCTV in our workplace. These areas are not only stock areas but in our design studio, by the clock machines, overlooking places of work and the canteens as well on all exterior doors.

The official line is that they are for security and insurance purposes, but we all know that some Managers are monitoring them from home. We know this because there has been incidences of Managers making reference to seeing either staff not working, messing around etc.

Can anyone shed some light on the legality on this.

Thank you

[ummmm]

What about the legality about being paid to 'mess around' ?

[bednobs]

hiya, i cant see why it's not legal for someone to film their own premises and the people in those premises, but i'm afraid i'm speaking from (what seems like) common sense rather than law

[bednobs]

also if they are cctv, they will not be able to be monitored from home, CC stand for closed circuit (ie not broadcast)
i think :)

[ChuckFickens]

Bednobs...

Lots of modern CCTV systems have the ability to access the pictures via the internet.

[bednobs]

then why is it called cctv?

[mccfluff]

we have cctv all over the building inside and out for security and monitoring purposes. signage needs to be up toa dvise you and any public that their is cctv. other than that it is their building and they have a right to monitor it.

the only query i have with this is managers having access. Our cctv is kept to one secirty pc that is not connected to the network and only i have access (well and my immediate manager). if anyone has a query regarding staff behaviour there is a strict protocol to follow.
ie the manager emails me tells me their concerns and i'll check the footage, if anythign then needs addressing it will go down the proper route. managers can;t just come in and look at anythign they wish.

[bednobs]

why not mcfluff?

[ChuckFickens]

I suspect because "closed circuit television with the option to connect to a wide area network if desired" is a bit too much of a mouthful so they just stuck with CCTV ;)

[mccfluff]

CYA - if there is a law suit we have an audit trail

[bednobs]

that may well be your company policy though, rather than law. What kind of lawsuits are they expecting?

[eloisey]

Hello,
have a look at the citizens advice web site,it has lots of advice about surveilance
at work.

[mccfluff]

sorry bed - it is our company policy. Not expecting any its just general CYA, if something was to happen then we can provide audit trails

[chelle7272]

Your employer should make you aware that CCTV may be used to monitor employees, but ti is not illegal unless it is done in secret.

[Old_Geezer]

My guess is that it is probably legal, but my feeling is that it is less than moral to spy on folk. One can see a compromise whereby everyone knows the cameras are there and the recording isn't accessed except when an incident occurs.

Maybe you need to look for a new employer who accepts the need of folk not to be under the scrutiny of management all day but who feel trusted to get on with their tasks ?

[eloisey]

Sorry about the spelling mistake i missed an l from surveillance.

[bednobs]

however, wouldn't you say there is something less than moral in mucking around and not working in the workplace, old geezer?

[shiznit]

I dont have a problem with the camera's to be honest, but I don't like the thought of Managers watching you from home. I feel there should be some kind of procedure in place for when footage should be used and not just when a Manager feels like it. Plus the staff should be made fully aware of how and when the CCTV will be used.

One of the managers even has some clips on his laptop of a couple of "funny" incidents which happened on night shifts, surely that is not right.

ummm, what up with you?, yeah everyone is a model employee when there are no Managers about.

[AliFlump]

I work for a CCTV company. If a company wants to have CCTV in their premises, they have to advise ppl that it is there and being recorded. Obviously this can't be put in private places like toilets but anywhere else is ok

Some systems can be connected over the internet and software can be put ona pc to dial into that system

If you've done nothing wrong then you have nothing to hide that's what I say when ppl ask me if I think it's right. It's work afterall not your private life.

[AliFlump]

Also meant to say check the CCTV code of practice is being obeyed by your company

[Buenchico]

There seem to be more 'comments' than 'answers' on this thread. Please allow me to redress the balance:
http://www.ico.gov.uk...ific_guides/cctv.aspx

Chris