Can employers make you use a camera when you work from home. 25 October 2022 at 9:35AM in Employment, jobseeking & training 58 replies 9.5K views

Nickvale

You say that the employer wants you to use the camera "to allow the team to feel like they're in a virtual office". How does having a camera trained on you, presumably without you being able to see everyone else, achieve that?  

Ath_Wat

Nickvale said:

You say that the employer wants you to use the camera "to allow the team to feel like they're in a virtual office". How does having a camera trained on you, presumably without you being able to see everyone else, achieve that?  

I imagine they can all see each other.

Davearia

Ath_Wat said:

Nickvale said:

You say that the employer wants you to use the camera "to allow the team to feel like they're in a virtual office". How does having a camera trained on you, presumably without you being able to see everyone else, achieve that?  

I imagine they can all see each other.

Sorry only just seen this. Yeah the idea is so you can all see each other, still think it's a ridiculous idea.

Ditzy_Mitzy

Ath_Wat said:

Nickvale said:

You say that the employer wants you to use the camera "to allow the team to feel like they're in a virtual office". How does having a camera trained on you, presumably without you being able to see everyone else, achieve that?  

I imagine they can all see each other.

That's what they'll claim, but it's not really true, is it.  A computer tablet is only eight or nine inches across; dividing the monitor up into individual boxes to show other members of staff, let's say there are six of them, will give each person about a square inch.  To the viewer, i.e. the OP, that is utterly useless.  He or she cannot be expected to interpret someone else's body language and so on from such a minute image.  This is about management spying on staff, presumably to check they are all at their desks.  

Nifty_Purse

As it's not stated in your contract and they didn't communicate that you needed to use the tablet (didn't tell you before starting the job and 3 months passed before a manager even questioned your non-use of it?) how can it be legally enforceable? Or even required for doing the job?

They can see what work you are/are not getting done through the software on the work laptop, can't they? No need for them to watch you do it?

Probably a case of either:

• managers scared of getting into trouble or having the tablets taken away if they are not used or can't justify cost of them to their boss. 

• managers who want to chat and interrupt your workflow (as they would in the office) whenever it suits them not you.

One subject that hasn't been mentioned:
Is the tablet camera stream being encrypted? 
If not, you may be streaming your home to anyone who hacks into your company's systems or the video software host and not just your managers?
You may (or may not) be okay with this risk for a short time like a meeting, but all day?

Lots of companies and managers are naive and unknowledgeable of these privacy and security issues.

Many businesses are still new to using this technology so employees do need to communicate with employers about what is and isn't acceptable and the issues around the use of technology.

If you decide to leave this job I hope you tell them why.

Ath_Wat

Ditzy_Mitzy said:

Ath_Wat said:

Nickvale said:

You say that the employer wants you to use the camera "to allow the team to feel like they're in a virtual office". How does having a camera trained on you, presumably without you being able to see everyone else, achieve that?  

I imagine they can all see each other.

That's what they'll claim, but it's not really true, is it.  A computer tablet is only eight or nine inches across; dividing the monitor up into individual boxes to show other members of staff, let's say there are six of them, will give each person about a square inch.  To the viewer, i.e. the OP, that is utterly useless.  He or she cannot be expected to interpret someone else's body language and so on from such a minute image.  This is about management spying on staff, presumably to check they are all at their desks.  

It might not be practical, or achieve the stated goal, but what I said is still patently true.

GiantTCR

Davearia said:

Just wanted to know how I stand legally with this situation please?

You just need to do what is written in employment contract that you signed. If in your employment contract there is no mention of tablet usage, then you can tell them to shove it.

Undervalued

GiantTCR said:

Davearia said:

Just wanted to know how I stand legally with this situation please?

You just need to do what is written in employment contract that you signed. If in your employment contract there is no mention of tablet usage, then you can tell them to shove it.

No you can't!

An employment contract doesn't detail every aspect of your employment. Have you never heard the phrase "reasonable management instruction"?

Plus, the OP has been employed for less than two years so can be dismissed for any non discriminatory reason or even no reason at all!