Video/audio recording of meetings??

SarahShattered

Hi guys,

I hope this is in the right place, and I'm hoping too, that there'll be some peeps here who know the answer to this one.

At my last staff meeting one of the admin team was taking minutes. Halfway through the meeting I noticed a camcorder in front of her with the counter running. I asked if she was recording, she said yes, she was. :eek:

I asked if I'd missed her asking consent, as I'd been out of the room when the meeting began. She looked flustered, and said it was just to help her with her note taking.
No-one wanted to make a fuss there and then, as there were plenty of other issues to discuss. Later on tho, my manager told me she'd asked our overall manager about recording meetings. Apparently she'd said she had no problems with meetings being recorded either audio or visually without getting consent.

I thought that was illegal? I spoke to the big boss, who said if I can show where it says that she can't do that she'll review her policy. Help please.

tomstickland

What's your problem with it?

Uncertain

It is not illegal to record (even covertly) a conversation that you are party to. There have been many ET cases where such recordings have been accepted as evidence. Equally you do not need somebody's permission to take a photograph of them.

Where it becomes more complicated is if you ask permission and it is refused or some commercial use is made of the recording or photograph.

Your firm may have internal rules about this which could make it a disciplinary matter.

SarahShattered

Couple of things really Tom....

1) I believed that consent had to be obtained before recording a meeting.
2) I don't know what they are going to do with that recording.
3) If we are going to be recorded, we won't be able to have a 'frank and fair exchange of views' because our words could be quoted out of context.
4) I thought it was illegal.


ETA:

Thanks for that Uncertain. I appreciate your input. Would you mind letting me know how you know it's not illegal please? I've looked all over the net, and am really struggling to find an absolute on it.

newmee

Well I'm really surprised it's not but hey ho you live and learn! I sympathise SarahShattered I'd feel really uncomfortable being filmed and know I wouldn't be as open or honest as I may be usually (perhaps that's cos I work for the Council and know how they may use it against you in 2 years if it suited them!) Plus the fact I'd want warning to make sure I had me clock on that day!! lol

SarahShattered

newmee wrote: »

Well I'm really surprised it's not but hey ho you live and learn! I sympathise SarahShattered I'd feel really uncomfortable being filmed and know I wouldn't be as open or honest as I may be usually (perhaps that's cos I work for the Council and know how they may use it against you in 2 years if it suited them!) Plus the fact I'd want warning to make sure I had me clock on that day!! lol

That's the thing I'm particularly concerned about. They have been known to stockpile info and present a whole 3yrs worth in front of someone, and expect them to answer all issues. :eek: :mad:

dickydonkin

In these days of video conferences etc. I really cannot see what the problem is although as a matter of courtesy, all of the attendees of the meeting should be informed.

newmee

I think maybe it depends on your line of work. Mine is confidential so doubt it would be allowed anyway but I agree common courtesy should surely prevail at the very least!

SarahShattered

dpassmore wrote: »

In these days of video conferences etc. I really cannot see what the problem is although as a matter of courtesy, all of the attendees of the meeting should be informed.

Our staff meetings are split up into our relevant teams. We do tend to get pretty frank about some of the issues we face, which can absolutely be caused by other teams, or by our senior management team. Getting those issues thrashed out in our team, means that we're able to raise them more appropriately with the other teams.... not sure if that makes sense.

So to have a recording of our meetings, without our consent will impact our ability to talk these things through honestly.

tomstickland

Aha, I see where you're coming from now. You don't feel that you can see what you really think, because it's no longer "off record".

I'd suggest that you just adopt a more diplomatic way of saying what you really think.
Meanwhile, the off-record stuff will go underground I suppose.

olly300

SarahShattered wrote: »

That's the thing I'm particularly concerned about. They have been known to stockpile info and present a whole 3yrs worth in front of someone, and expect them to answer all issues. :eek: :mad:

The best thing to do is phone up the office of the Information Commissioners helpline and ask them. 0303 123 1113 between 9 and 5 Monday to Friday.

I would also have a look at your employment contract and staff handbook that commonly comes with it to see if you have given your consent already to this.