clocking in with my fingerprint

[halfpints]

Can my employer force me to give my fingerprint to them? They want to create a thermal image of my fingerprint to be stored on a server. I will use a fob to swipe the clocking in machine, which prompts the server to recognise which employee is about to clock in. I will then need to insert my finger into the reader. The server then matches the thermal image to my finger and clocks me in. My employer has stated that this is compulsory and anyone refusing is in danger of losing their job. Can they legally do this? I feel strongly against giving my fingerprint and don't want to be bullied into doing so.

[Ethel]

Why are you against this? Unless you wear gloves all the time, anybody can get your fingerprint.

I can't think of one good reason for refusing to comply. Your employer will only be allowed to use your fingerprint for this purpose.

These measures are becoming more common in the workplace - as well as fingerprint id, iris recognition is often used.

Some employees can't log on to their computers unless the pc recognises their fingerprint.

[danewesley]

every single student in our college has their fingerpirnt taken for the library so we can get stuff out... theres no problem with it, you havent done anything wrong have you?

[Nico1]

Although there's no reason to be suspicious, there could be a human rights issue here with regards to your company taking and 'owning' your fingerprint.

Many companies decide not to use biometrics in this way just because of that....the way round it is to store the fingerprint on your id card which then means you hold your own fingerprint and not the company reducing any possible problems with regards to human rights.

Biometrics tend not to be used for T&A systems due to the fact that they are NOT 100% accurate. This can be a problem when the integrity of the system is not 100% and yet your attendance (and possibly pay) is linked to it.