cctv in shop

[shoemad]

Hi,
my son has a small shop and is convinced that one of his staff is stealing from the till.
However, proving it is very difficult as he can't stand next to her all the time as he has to work in the back doing preparation.
He is thinking of installing CCTV in the shop but is unsure as to whether or not he has to inform the staff that he has done so.
I think that just telling her that cameras are being installed may be enough to stop her stealing but ideally he'd like to dismiss her if he can find proof as it's unpleasant (and expensive) to work with someone you can't trust.
Does anyone have any advice as to the legality of installing a camera over the till area?
Thanks,

[Thunderchild]

why not just sack her !!!

[oldmaggie]

Tesco's do it

[ChuckFickens]

of course you can install a visible camera in any area of your own property! (hidden cameras are another matter)

You need to put signs up informing the customers there is CCTV in the shop, and the camera behind the till is to record customers faces while they pay, not to monitor the staff :)

[Bivvysenior]

So whats wrong with putting a covert camera over the till area to record any transgressions.If identified call in the police and report the stealing

[dizmouk2009]

Place camera, hidden facing the till (out of range of the customers) then wait till you get footage of her stealing. Tell her you know she has been stealing (but don't tell her about the CCTV unless she continues to deny it) and if she is smart she will quit (after you advise her that it would be best for her, if you know what i mean) (saves having to sack her and going down the route of unfair dismissal). She doesn't need to know you have CCTV and if it did turn into a legal matter you just tell the police that she was aware of the system, it would be your word against hers. I know loads of people who have done this in public houses to catch out staff stealing money!

Dizmo.

[shoemad]

thank you for your advice everyone.
It's a horrible situation, we have had the shop for 40 years and my son has only recently taken over running it and now has to deal with this problem.
We don't want to get into the minefield of tribunals and unfair dismissal claims.
Think we'll have to invest in a camera.

[hc4361]

It is legal to use covert cameras and/or listening devices to record your staff IF you have very good reason to believe a crime is being committed AND you use it only as long as is necessary to get the evidence.
If you haven't obtained the evidence within a reasonable time (how long is reasonable?) you must stop.
You CANNOT record staff in toilets and wash rooms except in extreme circumstances.

http://www.ico.gov.uk...e_html/appendix3.html

I suggest you keep a log detailing your reasons for installing the equipment, the date it is installed, where it is and what it is recording, the date it is removed and your reasons for not informing the staff.

[Ramsbottom]

I agree with hc4361 answer. You are perfectly within your right to add CCTV cameras.

Also, you could just dismiss her.

Whilst not aware of the circumstances it is often very easy to dismiss someone has has worked for you for a short amount of time and they will have no grounds for wrongful dismissal.

[ekanshi]

CCTV camera is best option to prevent from theft. I think you should not tell your staff for the camera just fix it, then only you can find the person.
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