Spying on staff

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Is it legal to spy on staff internet usage when there is no suspicion of wrong doing?

cazziebo

If it is company equipment then it's quite usual to monitor internet usage. Most systems will supply stats on sites visited etc.

If it's during company time, then it could be argued the company has an obligation to monitor and address abuse of the system.

mark55man

usually the argument is that the logs are just stored for subsequent audit purposes should something emerge to raise eyebrows.

you could argue that it is exactly like keeping receipts for your expenses, petty cash and/or CCTV for the front of the building.

I think previous poster is right - some companies interpret the duty of care to ensure that inappropriate material is not downloaded

OP - has something happened that worries you or is it a general question

the_devil_made_me_do_it

It is a member of HR who has decided to monitor internet usage. The agreement is that the computers can be used for personal use.

Nothing has happend, other than a member of staff got hauled in the office and was put on a disciplinary for browsing the net in work's time.

Problem is the HR person appears to be a bit of a control freak and seems to be doing everything to assert his authority. This is just one of his new tricks.

mark55man

so can phones, but you would expect them to check if you were dailing inappropriate phone numbers

the_devil_made_me_do_it

You mean monitor what numbers were being called as opposed to screening the calls made?

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Forgot to ask: does it have to be a nominated data controller who is qualified to monitor net usage? The guy is head of HR who has choosen to do this. He already has CCTV linkage in his office, it's bizarre since he isn't security & it begs the question of what he is doing while he is spending time spying on other people.

mark55man

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

You mean monitor what numbers were being called as opposed to screening the calls made?

yes. but I don't think anyone will have time to view your session unless they have specific reason - god knows its boring enough doing your own surfing !!

they will just be listing the sites visited, and maybe flashing up any that breach guidelines (by falling into one or other of non-approved categories)

don't know about the policy issue you raise - sounds like he's a perv

jazzyman01

Watching what you are doing through the internet should be covered under your company Internet Policy.

You mention CCTV coverage - is this obvious in the workplace? Have you been advised that they are monitoring you? Smacks of serious mistrust of the employees.

Zazen999

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

Forgot to ask: does it have to be a nominated data controller who is qualified to monitor net usage? The guy is head of HR who has choosen to do this. He already has CCTV linkage in his office, it's bizarre since he isn't security & it begs the question of what he is doing while he is spending time spying on other people.

New heads of HR are usually given command from up above to look at x, y, and z; and they will not need qualifications to monitor internet usage.

However, I'd be more worried about the CCTV; that's a lot of equipment to install on a whim so I'd be asking why on earth this has been installed in the first place.

hoyles10

It should be set out in your terms of employment. I know ours say that reasonable internet browsing is allowed but should be done in your own time such as a break or lunch hour. Any personal usage of the internet whilst you should be working would lead to slapped wrists and a don't so it again but if caught again they would contact the IT department and get them to remove your internet access rights. I think it's a fair way of doing things, at the end of the day people should be working at work not messing on the internet.