CCTV Extremism in the workplace

[geoffrey]

A young lady who works as a checkout operator in a supermarket says that the staff are uneasy because the company has placed CCTV cameras above every checkout, focusing on them and the cash tills, in the staff room, in all store-rooms and passage-ways, and in the staff toilets though not in the actual cubicles. They were told that it was done to prevent serious crime and terrorism but they feel that to be absurd and they hate being spied on and their every move being recorded. The manager told them that the recordings were sent to head office. Do they have any rights in this?

[Johnboy007]

Re: CCTV Extremism.

I would actually draw the line at CCTV in the toilets.
Putting in a group grievance to the Checkout Manager in the first instance, may spark a response.
Worded something along the lines of,
To (name of company)
Date and department.
While we female employees, who work on the checkouts (and other places if appropriate) understand the need for Company CCTV surveillance, for security reasons.
We strongly object to the fixing of such CCTV cameras in the Female Toilets.
There are certain bodily functions that we need to carry out, and not always in the confinement of a cubicle.
We therefore consider these cameras to be an invasion of our privacy, and request that (name of company) remove them as a matter of urgency.
We request a reply to our concerns as soon as possible.

Keep a copy of this letter and give it to the checkout manager, or a union shop steward if you have one, to pass it to him.

Please let us know how you get on with this one.........

[Amethyst]

Re: CCTV Extremism.

'' There are certain bodily functions that we need to carry out, and not always in the confinement of a cubicle.''

pmsl - what bodily functions would they be?

Presumably this store also has CCTV in the gents ?

Personally in this day and age every where is covered with CCTV and if the store have previously had issues with staff acquiring things from the store then I suspect they would be in their rights to hold CCTV footage from all work and public areas. I'm pretty sure theres some specific legislation or official guidance about use of CCTV in the workplace will see if I can find it or someone who knows about this stuff.

[Amethyst]

Re: CCTV Extremism.

With regards Data Protection

CCTV code of practice

We have published the following guidance to help organisations using CCTV to stay within the law:

• CCTV code of practice (pdf)

What can I expect?

The CCTV operator must let people know they are using CCTV. Signs are the most usual way of doing this. The signs must be clearly visible and readable, and should include the details of the organisation operating the system if not obvious.
CCTV should only be used in exceptional circumstances in areas where you normally expect privacy - such as in changing rooms or toilets, and should only be used to deal with very serious concerns. The operator should make extra effort to ensure that you are aware that cameras are in use.
Conversations between members of the public should not be recorded on CCTV. (There are some specific exceptions to this, such as a panic button in a taxi cab or the charging area of a police custody suite).


Monitoring your workforce
When you install CCTV in a workplace, such as a shop, it is likely to capture pictures of workers,
even if they are not the main subject of surveillance. If the purpose of the CCTV is solely to
prevent and detect crime, then you should not use it for monitoring the amount of work done or
compliance with company procedures.

Have the cameras been installed so they are not directed specifically to capture images of
workers?
Are the recorded images viewed only when there is suspected criminal activity, and not just
for routine monitoring of workers? Cameras installed for preventing and detecting crime
should not be used for non-criminal matters.

Are images of workers used only if you see something you cannot be expected to ignore,
such as criminal activity, gross misconduct, or behaviour which puts others at risk?
If these images are used in disciplinary proceedings, is the footage retained so that the
worker can see it and respond? A still image is unlikely to be enough.
In some cases, it may be appropriate to install CCTV specifically for workforce monitoring. You
should go through the decision making process in section 4 of this code and consider whether it
is justified. In particular, consider whether better training or greater supervision would be a more
appropriate solution.

Example: You suspect that your workers are stealing goods from the store room. It
would be appropriate to install CCTV in this room, as it will not involve continuous
or intrusive monitoring and is proportionate to the problem.

Example: You suspect that your workers are making mobile phone calls during
working hours, against company policy, and you consider installing CCTV cameras
on their desks to monitor them throughout the day. This would be intrusive and
disproportionate. Continuous monitoring should only be used in very exceptional
circumstances, for example where hazardous substances are used and failure to
follow procedures would pose a serious risk to life.

Is CCTV limited to areas which workers would not expect to be private?
CCTV should notbe used in toilet areas or private offices.

• Are workers made aware that the CCTV is for staff monitoring and how it will be used?
• How are visitors informed that CCTV is in operation?
• If CCTV is used to enforce internal policies, are workers fully aware of these policies and
• have they had sufficient training?
• Do you have procedures to deal appropriately with subject access requests from workers?

Workers should normally be aware that they are being monitored, but in exceptional
circumstances, covert monitoring may be used as part of a specific investigation. Covert
monitoring is where video or audio recording equipment is used, and those being monitored are
unaware that this is taking place.

Before approving covert monitoring, you should ask yourself:

• Is this an exceptional circumstance, and is there is reason to suspect criminal activity or
• equivalent malpractice?
• Will the cameras only be used for a specific investigation, and will they be removed once
• the investigation is complete?
• Would it prejudice the investigation to tell workers that cameras are being used?
• Have you taken into account the intrusion on innocent workers?
• Has the decision been taken by senior management?

Cameras and listening devices should not be installed in private areas such as toilets and private
offices, except in the most exceptional circumstances where serious crime is suspected. This
should only happen where there is an intention to involve the police, not where it is a purely
internal disciplinary matter.

In some cases, covert cameras installed for one investigation may turn up evidence of other
criminal behaviour or disciplinary offences. You should only make use of this where the offence is
serious, for example, gross misconduct or misconduct putting others at risk. It would be unfair to
use evidence obtained covertly for minor disciplinary matters.
In some cases, covert monitoring may be covered by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act
2000 or the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 (RIPA / RIPSA). You may
wish to seek advice1.
More advice on monitoring workers can be found in our Employment practices code2.

[Amethyst]

Re: CCTV Extremism.

Separate, specific guidance on the use of CCTV in the workplace is also provided in the ICO's Employment practices Code and more information on the specific considerations for employers using CCTV can be found in our article on Use of CCTV in the Workplace.

[Amethyst]

Re: CCTV Extremism.

Also have a read of this thread on a very similar issue - http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...mployee-Rights

[MissFM]

Re: CCTV Extremism.

'' There are certain bodily functions that we need to carry out, and not always in the confinement of a cubicle.''

pmsl - what bodily functions would they be?

Presumably this store also has CCTV in the gents ?

Personally in this day and age every where is covered with CCTV and if the store have previously had issues with staff acquiring things from the store then I suspect they would be in their rights to hold CCTV footage from all work and public areas. I'm pretty sure theres some specific legislation or official guidance about use of CCTV in the workplace will see if I can find it or someone who knows about this stuff.

I was also intrigued by this, Ame.

I think we should be told!
:eek2::shocked:hoto:

[Amethyst]

Re: CCTV Extremism in the workplace

I'm an in and out person, I can never work out what on earth women do in the ladies for so bloody long. I must be missing something.

[MissFM]

Re: CCTV Extremism in the workplace

I just wonder what JB thinks we do...:laugh:msl::fear:

[Amethyst]

Re: CCTV Extremism in the workplace

lol, well I don't think I even want to ask him

[Kati]

Re: CCTV Extremism.

• CCTV code of practice (pdf)

Is CCTV limited to areas which workers would not expect to be private?
CCTV should not be used in toilet areas or private offices.

• Are workers made aware that the CCTV is for staff monitoring and how it will be used?
• How are visitors informed that CCTV is in operation?
• If CCTV is used to enforce internal policies, are workers fully aware of these policies and
• have they had sufficient training?
• Do you have procedures to deal appropriately with subject access requests from workers?

they are treading a thin line unless they can categorically prove that the recordings are being used to prevent a serious crime !!!

I'm an in and out person, I can never work out what on earth women do in the ladies for so bloody long. I must be missing something.

- me too :tinysmile_twink_t2:

I just wonder what JB thinks we do...:laugh:msl::fear:

- I wouldn't even hazard a guess LOl

[bluebottle]

Re: CCTV Extremism in the workplace

The ICO Guides for Employers and Workplace Surveillance are pretty clear as to what employers can do and where the line should be drawn. I had to contact the ICO on someone's behalf this week and the people on the ICO Helpline were very helpful indeed and explained things very clearly. The OP might wish to ring the ICO Helpline for clarification or further information.

The claims by the employer that the use of CCTV is "to prevent serious crime and terrorism" are, quite frankly, absurd and likely to make them a laughing stock.

Serious crime in a supermarket environment would include offences such as -

Arson - setting fire to rubbish compactors and skips in the warehouse yard is not uncommon;
Robbery - can happen during delivery or collection of cash, but technology has reduced such incidents dramatically;
Deliberate contamination of foodstuffs - rare, but it can and has happened.

If a "terrorist" is going to attack a venue, they will go for a place where they can cause as much disruption as possible. Not surprisingly, they go for places like transport hubs (e.g. railway stations, underground railway networks).

Employers would do far better if they were open and straight with their employees, not coming out with, frankly, ludicrous statements as in the OP's opening post..

[Johnboy007]

Re: CCTV Extremism in the workplace

Well, in reply to Boss Lady and Miss FM pmsl - what bodily functions would they be?
It has been know for certain carnal activities to take place in Toilets.
Would you two ladies like me to elaborate?:tinysmile_twink_t2:

And as our third lady Kati has posted,
Is CCTV limited to areas which workers would not expect to be private?
CCTV should not be used in toilet areas or private offices.

I rest my case M'Ladies

[Johnboy007]

Re: CCTV Extremism in the workplace

I'm an in and out person, I can never work out what on earth women do in the ladies for so bloody long. I must be missing something.

I'm an in and out person too Boss lady.............:tinysmile_twink_t2:

[Crazy council]

Re: CCTV Extremism in the workplace

I'm an in and out person, I can never work out what on earth women do in the ladies for so bloody long. I must be missing something.

I thought thats were they went to commune with the dark side.... lol.

But seriously, there are so many reasons why companys should not put cctv any-ware near private areas. because you can get control of zoom and pan/tilt remotly easly enough.