Employer breached my privacy

74jax

Gavin83 said:

Savvy_Sue said:

It doesn't get over the problem of what else may come into view when you're WFH on a video call, but it was made clear to us that we must be properly / professionally dressed when WFH, and there would be video meetings with your manager - not to check on your dress or lack of it specifically, but I'm pretty sure it was to make sure you weren't working in PJs all day. 

I’m not really sure what the issue is with this to be honest. I often work in my dressing gown. Sure, it’s casual but putting on a shirt and tie wouldn’t make me any better at my job.

If I have a video meeting then I’ll obviously get dressed but even then I generally just wear a tee and jeans. I wouldn’t even consider wearing the same attire as I would were I attending the office.

The point is, the ops work were turning on the webcam at their choosing and watching. Not keystrokes, applications used etc, but watching the op in their home.
Like I say, it's fine in meetings, you can use an inbuilt background but when you don't even know I honestly don't think it is ...... 

elsien

74jax said:

Gavin83 said:

Savvy_Sue said:

It doesn't get over the problem of what else may come into view when you're WFH on a video call, but it was made clear to us that we must be properly / professionally dressed when WFH, and there would be video meetings with your manager - not to check on your dress or lack of it specifically, but I'm pretty sure it was to make sure you weren't working in PJs all day. 

I’m not really sure what the issue is with this to be honest. I often work in my dressing gown. Sure, it’s casual but putting on a shirt and tie wouldn’t make me any better at my job.

If I have a video meeting then I’ll obviously get dressed but even then I generally just wear a tee and jeans. I wouldn’t even consider wearing the same attire as I would were I attending the office.

The point is, the ops work were turning on the webcam at their choosing and watching. Not keystrokes, applications used etc, but watching the op in their home.
Like I say, it's fine in meetings, you can use an inbuilt background but when you don't even know I honestly don't think it is ...... 

I agree. If it were me I’d be very unhappy about it. What you are or aren’t wearing is irrelevant, it’s still an invasion of privacy. 

If you were aware the software was there you would manage it - close the laptop down when having a break, or whatever. It is different to being in the office because if I was discussing my new job application or how bad my boss is, or my mental health, on a call with friends family during my break I’d make very sure it’s where no one could overhear. 

OP, what formal communications have you had from your organisation about this? 

prowla

It may well be in the company's IT policy that use of company equipment may be tracked, so the logging of application use, sites visited is reasonable; it's a bit like having a tacho or geolocation in a vehicle.

However, if they are taking pictures via the webcam, that is well dodgey.

Vectis

I think this has gone off on a bit of a tangent and people are commenting about what they wear when working at home and what might have been seen on the webcam. None of that is relevant, it's about what the OP was doing at the time, whether they were acting professionally and what he/she wants to get from this.

Yes, it's probably not very nice thinking that someone from work could possibly have watched you while you were working without you knowing but, unless you were behaving unprofessionally (and, remember, this is during work time even though it's at home) then, really, what is there to worry about? If it still concerns you, simply cover up the webcam as others have said. Of course, if you were doing something you shouldn't have been during work time then that's a different matter.

So, I think it should be thrown back to the OP and ask what do you want from this? If you're hoping for compensation then I'd say that was a non starter. What else are you looking for? If it's an apology, you might get that as they've already said it was a mistake and done inadvertently and it's been switched off. Or you could just move on - if you've done nothing wrong, that is.

maisie_cat

It sounds to as though the software was installed and that the webcam element was activated by mistake. That's why they've told you that it was activated but is not now. When all the WFH started  many employers and employees alike were on new ground.
Why not give your employer a break? You still have a job that you can do from home and they are entitled to check that you are actually working. 
If you are working in the nude and an employer gets an eyeful it will not be the first or last time!

Gavin83

74jax said:

Gavin83 said:

Savvy_Sue said:

It doesn't get over the problem of what else may come into view when you're WFH on a video call, but it was made clear to us that we must be properly / professionally dressed when WFH, and there would be video meetings with your manager - not to check on your dress or lack of it specifically, but I'm pretty sure it was to make sure you weren't working in PJs all day. 

I’m not really sure what the issue is with this to be honest. I often work in my dressing gown. Sure, it’s casual but putting on a shirt and tie wouldn’t make me any better at my job.

If I have a video meeting then I’ll obviously get dressed but even then I generally just wear a tee and jeans. I wouldn’t even consider wearing the same attire as I would were I attending the office.

The point is, the ops work were turning on the webcam at their choosing and watching. Not keystrokes, applications used etc, but watching the op in their home.
Like I say, it's fine in meetings, you can use an inbuilt background but when you don't even know I honestly don't think it is ...... 

You misunderstood my post, I've already agreed what happened with the OP was unreasonable. I was saying I don't understand the issue with what you wear when you work from home and why Savvy_Sue's manager checks up on it. I don't see the difference between wearing office attire or wearing anything else, or even nothing. Doesn't make you any better at your job.

I can understand it in the office as you might be meeting people or others might be visiting but at home? The same doesn't apply.

74jax

Gavin83 said:

74jax said:

Gavin83 said:

Savvy_Sue said:

It doesn't get over the problem of what else may come into view when you're WFH on a video call, but it was made clear to us that we must be properly / professionally dressed when WFH, and there would be video meetings with your manager - not to check on your dress or lack of it specifically, but I'm pretty sure it was to make sure you weren't working in PJs all day. 

I’m not really sure what the issue is with this to be honest. I often work in my dressing gown. Sure, it’s casual but putting on a shirt and tie wouldn’t make me any better at my job.

If I have a video meeting then I’ll obviously get dressed but even then I generally just wear a tee and jeans. I wouldn’t even consider wearing the same attire as I would were I attending the office.

The point is, the ops work were turning on the webcam at their choosing and watching. Not keystrokes, applications used etc, but watching the op in their home.
Like I say, it's fine in meetings, you can use an inbuilt background but when you don't even know I honestly don't think it is ...... 

You misunderstood my post, I've already agreed what happened with the OP was unreasonable. I was saying I don't understand the issue with what you wear when you work from home and why Savvy_Sue's manager checks up on it. I don't see the difference between wearing office attire or wearing anything else, or even nothing. Doesn't make you any better at your job.

I can understand it in the office as you might be meeting people or others might be visiting but at home? The same doesn't apply.

My fault sorry 🙈. I'm 100% with you.

To be fair I'm off the opinion it makes no difference in the office what you wear either, but appreciate I'm in the minority.

My husband's work industry is of the same opinion as me. They can work in shorts, flip flops etc. Even at interviews it would be unusual to turn up in a suit. 

Gavin83

74jax said:

Gavin83 said:

74jax said:

Gavin83 said:

Savvy_Sue said:

It doesn't get over the problem of what else may come into view when you're WFH on a video call, but it was made clear to us that we must be properly / professionally dressed when WFH, and there would be video meetings with your manager - not to check on your dress or lack of it specifically, but I'm pretty sure it was to make sure you weren't working in PJs all day. 

I’m not really sure what the issue is with this to be honest. I often work in my dressing gown. Sure, it’s casual but putting on a shirt and tie wouldn’t make me any better at my job.

If I have a video meeting then I’ll obviously get dressed but even then I generally just wear a tee and jeans. I wouldn’t even consider wearing the same attire as I would were I attending the office.

The point is, the ops work were turning on the webcam at their choosing and watching. Not keystrokes, applications used etc, but watching the op in their home.
Like I say, it's fine in meetings, you can use an inbuilt background but when you don't even know I honestly don't think it is ...... 

You misunderstood my post, I've already agreed what happened with the OP was unreasonable. I was saying I don't understand the issue with what you wear when you work from home and why Savvy_Sue's manager checks up on it. I don't see the difference between wearing office attire or wearing anything else, or even nothing. Doesn't make you any better at your job.

I can understand it in the office as you might be meeting people or others might be visiting but at home? The same doesn't apply.

My fault sorry 🙈. I'm 100% with you.

To be fair I'm off the opinion it makes no difference in the office what you wear either, but appreciate I'm in the minority.

My husband's work industry is of the same opinion as me. They can work in shorts, flip flops etc. Even at interviews it would be unusual to turn up in a suit. 

It's fine, I should have worded it better!

I agree with you, I don't think it makes any difference what you wear in the office either. However I can at least understand why an employer would wish to present a professional image, if in their opinion smart dress does project this. This completely goes out the window with home working though, possibly with the exception of video calls with clients or the like.

Undervalued

Gavin83 said:

74jax said:

Gavin83 said:

74jax said:

Gavin83 said:

Savvy_Sue said:

It doesn't get over the problem of what else may come into view when you're WFH on a video call, but it was made clear to us that we must be properly / professionally dressed when WFH, and there would be video meetings with your manager - not to check on your dress or lack of it specifically, but I'm pretty sure it was to make sure you weren't working in PJs all day. 

I’m not really sure what the issue is with this to be honest. I often work in my dressing gown. Sure, it’s casual but putting on a shirt and tie wouldn’t make me any better at my job.

If I have a video meeting then I’ll obviously get dressed but even then I generally just wear a tee and jeans. I wouldn’t even consider wearing the same attire as I would were I attending the office.

The point is, the ops work were turning on the webcam at their choosing and watching. Not keystrokes, applications used etc, but watching the op in their home.
Like I say, it's fine in meetings, you can use an inbuilt background but when you don't even know I honestly don't think it is ...... 

You misunderstood my post, I've already agreed what happened with the OP was unreasonable. I was saying I don't understand the issue with what you wear when you work from home and why Savvy_Sue's manager checks up on it. I don't see the difference between wearing office attire or wearing anything else, or even nothing. Doesn't make you any better at your job.

I can understand it in the office as you might be meeting people or others might be visiting but at home? The same doesn't apply.

My fault sorry 🙈. I'm 100% with you.

To be fair I'm off the opinion it makes no difference in the office what you wear either, but appreciate I'm in the minority.

My husband's work industry is of the same opinion as me. They can work in shorts, flip flops etc. Even at interviews it would be unusual to turn up in a suit. 

It's fine, I should have worded it better!

I agree with you, I don't think it makes any difference what you wear in the office either. However I can at least understand why an employer would wish to present a professional image, if in their opinion smart dress does project this. This completely goes out the window with home working though, possibly with the exception of video calls with clients or the like.

But, as you go on to say, many employer take the opposite view.

Although it is gradually changing, many "professional" occupations still have a strict dress code. Equally you could argue that there is no actual need for the military to have perfectly pressed uniforms and millimetre accurate haircuts. However, as an institution they still consider it important.

However if you are working from home I think it is reasonable to expect the same level of professionalism (however you define it) as would be required in the office. Some would argue if you can't be bothered to get out of your pyjamas you may well be taking an equally relaxed approach to the rest of your work!

pjcox2005

If they've viewed you on a webcam without any notice that this may be done then it's a clear invasion of privacy. I would raise it with HR and ask them to provide details of the monitoring software and what functionality was used so you know their on record position.

Where you take it from there and if you still want to work for that company is up to you?

As a side note, I've never kept my home life that secret from work (i appreciate others may feel they need to) but it really intrigues me you're concerned about them seeing house decor, your dog or background photos. That seems a bit OTT on the privacy point (although doesn't change the opening paragraph as clearly wrong without consent).