Do all DWP staff have access to private records

StopTheWorld_2

I have a weird situation. I am currently on ESA due to illness. My brother has recently got married to a DWP employee who absolutely hates my guts. (She took an instant dislike to me). Because I am not that close to my brother I prefer to keep the fact I'm ill and the nature of my illness private from him. This may sound paranoid but as a DWP employee would my new sister in law have access to all my records on her computer screen? She does not actually work in the benefits agency side of things or customer services but she is very high up in the Commercial Management Team at DWP. Her job definitely wouldn't include checking on people's applications or anything like that and she wouldn't have interaction with actual benefits claimants at all. But I have this horrible thought of her switching on her computer at work, being able to read all the personal details of my ESA claim including doctor's letters and extremely private information. Am I being a bit over the top? Or is it possible for ANYONE at the DWP, working in capacity to have free reign to access claimants' private records and applications??

Nyfle

In a word, no.

To elaborate further, all access to such information on DWP computer systems is heavily audited. Your sister-in-law would have to have very good reason to go snooping around. She would also need clearance as well - just because she works for the DWP doesn't mean that she would necessarily have the required privileges to look you up on the various DWP computer systems. Department employees found doing such things also risk loosing their jobs.

All in all it's a very unlikely scenario.

lilac_lady

No - she can't access your records without leaving a computer trail and if it's an unauthorised search she would be unable to explain why and could lose her job.

Data Protection Act etc.

Lady_gaga

Agree with the other posters, there are test checks in place, if she was found snooping in anyones records and shouldn't have been then it can be instant dismisal for misconduct.

cit_k

Its possible, but if caught, she would be in trouble.

ohreally

There is more than one way to skin a cat, she could easily have a word in the ear of someone who could get away with looking.

CIS

There is more than one way to skin a cat, she could easily have a word in the ear of someone who could get away with looking.

Assuming she could find someone willing to risk their job..

WhiteHorse

Access is supposed to be restricted and subject to checks. However, in reality it's quite possible.

happy35

If she doesnt work in the part of DWP that deals with benefits then it is highly unlikely she will have access to the system that holds customer records

ohreally

A word in the right ear is all that is required to find out.

[Deleted User]

equally you could write to the dwp and insist that for personal/family reasons you would prefer her NOT to have access to your records