Recording Employees At Work Cctv & Audio

[mumstheword1]

At the opticians where by D-in-Law works they are recorded by CCTV but they have discovered that they are being audio recorded too. I can understand the CCTV for security purposes but audio I find uncomfortable. When DiL was chatting to her Manager just normal chit chat the owner phoned and said we do not want to know what you are having for tea or the bout new sofa you are getting. This obviously includes the public conversations too. Is this legal?

[Buenchico]

See Section 3.3 (p.73) here:
https://ico.org.uk/media/for-organisations/documents/1064/the_employment_practices_code.pdf

. . . which, in turn, refers to this document:
https://ico.org.uk/media/for-organisations/documents/1542/cctv-code-of-practice.pdf

[mumstheword1]

Thank you Buenchico very informative but these are code of practices that do not have to be followed. But is there anything illegal about it. The owner does not want them talking about anything that is not work related, it has made them very uncomfortable and unhappy

[Buenchico]

I can't see that there's anything illegal about it.

[Peter Pedant]

There is a huge amount on this on the internet
chris has given a bit available from the ICO

the short AB answer is if it in the code of practice then it cant be unlawful

yes he can record - that is the long and short of it

[dannyk13]

Smacks a wee bit of 1984.(the book)

[Peter Pedant]

this fella I am sure wishes he had had cameras....

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/heywood-optician-boss-could-struck-11744584

not so much 1984 as 'I cant cope with advances in technology so I will say you cant do it'

[Khandro]

PP; This is a far cry from "advances in technology" this is a sick unnecessary use of control, & this creep should be challenged by all the staff together.
He's probably got surveillance cameras in the loos too.

[Peter Pedant]

bugging the bog is unlawful

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-51373901

If I go into a shop, I expect to be video'd

[Maydup]

I don't know the answer, but I always thought it was illegal to have surveillance on employees. What a horrible place to work!

I would contact ACAS for some advice on this. They have free confidential helpline, its well worth a call to see where your DIL and her colleagues stand and how to deal with it.

https://www.acas.org.uk/contact

[Peter Pedant]

well !
from someone in the fambly - - who knows!

https://www.caughtoncamera.net/news/can-i-record-sound-on-my-surveillance-cameras/

[Peter Pedant]

he who knows has said;

"A lot of considerations between private and public locations.

It would be worthwhile reviewing the policies and procedures at the business in relation to personal data and compliance with the Data Protection Act."

Public: public where the customers are - - - [NOT outside in the mall, also public see] - Private clearly not the bogs