Employer using covert surveillance

Lavalamp_2

Hello,
Does anyone know how an employment tribunal would view covert surveillance?
More specifically, an employer putting one of those tracking systems on an employee's computer that sends screenshots to the employer every few minutes.
This went on for over a month and the employee was told nothing about it. Neither was there an employment contract or employees handbook where it was mentioned this could happen.
I need to know whether I need to make a big deal of it to the tribunal, or if it's seen as not very serious? (Obviously it's quite serious to me!) Thankyou!

jacques_chirac

Was it the employee's own computer or owned by the employer?

scheming_gypsy

Companies can carry out monitoring of systems but there are limits. Staff has to be aware of the monitoring, they're not allowed to read emails that are marked as private / personal and they can only see what websites you've visited but not actually visit them to see what you're doing.

Even though you're at work, part of Human Rights Act says that you're entitled to privacy in the workplace http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/human-rights-in-the-workplace

Lavalamp_2

Owned by the employer. I wasn't aware in any way that this was happening. I have been sent a few on the screenshots and there is one of personal emails.

getmore4less

Don't do personal stuff at work.

RichardD1970

Every job where I have had access to a computer, I have had to sign an IT policy which stated that activity could be monitored and giving strict guidelines on what was permissible.

Reue

getmore4less wrote: »

Don't do personal stuff at work.

Many companies have policies allowing some limited personal use of office equipment.

As another poster correctly stated earlier: You do still have a reasonable right to privacy within the workplace and your employer should inform you that use of office equipment may be monitored before doing so.

My university dissertation was focused around the ethical and legal implications of workplace surveillance and the research suggested many UK companies were actually breaking the law with regard to not informing their employees of the natures and scope of surveillance taking place.

ILW

Lavalamp wrote: »

Owned by the employer. I wasn't aware in any way that this was happening. I have been sent a few on the screenshots and there is one of personal emails.

So what did they sack you for?

Lavalamp_2

Reue wrote: »

Many companies have policies allowing some limited personal use of office equipment.

As another poster correctly stated earlier: You do still have a reasonable right to privacy within the workplace and your employer should inform you that use of office equipment may be monitored before doing so.

My university dissertation was focused around the ethical and legal implications of workplace surveillance and the research suggested many UK companies were actually breaking the law with regard to not informing their employees of the natures and scope of surveillance taking place.

From the research I have done I believe that my employer did break the law regarding not informing me what he was doing. My tribunal relates to many other things he did wrong, will they see this as a big deal?

What happens normally when an employer doesn't inform their employee that they're being monitored. It may be against the law but are they going to get arrested for it..?!

makeyourdaddyproud

In the era of smartphones, it is totally unnecessary to use a works computer for private amenity.

After witnessing the sites, will there be a divorce as well?

Mista_C

You should have a read of this...

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/work_e/work_rights_at_work_e/monitoring_at_work.htm

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

Companies can carry out monitoring of systems but there are limits. Staff has to be aware of the monitoring, they're not allowed to read emails that are marked as private / personal and they can only see what websites you've visited but not actually visit them to see what you're doing.

Even though you're at work, part of Human Rights Act says that you're entitled to privacy in the workplace http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/human-rights-in-the-workplace

One of my previous workplaces had an such an issue where personal/private emails had been read on a work email account. The member of staff involved wasn't at all happy and started kicking up a fuss. A quick chat with the company legal representatives confirmed that the member of staff had no grounds for action as the mailbox, mail server and email account were the property of the company and even though the I.T. AUP allowed some use for personal matters it also stated that mail accounts would be routinely monitored.