Tracked at work

thebullsback · 14 January 2020 at 8:27PM

Hi all, my Employer ( A very Large National organisation) Has issued several of us with a smartphone on whichwe will recieve jobs that need doing ect.
Thing is that the device also Tracks the person.
How does this sort of thing stand ??

silvercar · 14 January 2020 at 8:43PM

By tracks the person, I assume you mean it monitors the location of the phone? Sounds like the company are monitoring the location of their property, doubt it is illegal.

You could always turn that app off and see when they notice.

polgara · 14 January 2020 at 8:45PM

What’s the issue? Switch it off when not at work or on lunch break.

TELLIT01 · 14 January 2020 at 9:42PM

It sounds as if there is a legitimate business reason for tracking your location as it means they can allocate work to the nearest person. All you can do is inform the employer that you will be switching the tracking function off outside working hours.

Blatchford · 14 January 2020 at 9:45PM

You aren't lying about where you are or what you are doing. So you have nothing to worry about.

Comms69 · 14 January 2020 at 10:21PM

Jsacker wrote: »

Could also be a GDPR concern if the data collected can identify an individual (the poster) and therefore be considered personal data.

thebullsback, could be worth speaking to the ICO for some guidance if that is your worry. Some fairly relevant advice from GOV as a starting point: here and here

No. It's no different to monitering a log in on a PC. It's not personal data when you're at work.

Dox · 14 January 2020 at 10:37PM

Jsacker wrote: »

Could also be a GDPR concern if the data collected can identify an individual (the poster) and therefore be considered personal data.

thebullsback, could be worth speaking to the ICO for some guidance if that is your worry. Some fairly relevant advice from GOV as a starting point: here and here

The links you've given relate to monitoring. Knowing where your staff are during working hours isn't the same thing.

OP, why are you bothered?

Blatchford · 14 January 2020 at 10:44PM

Jsacker wrote: »

Could also be a GDPR concern if the data collected can identify an individual (the poster) and therefore be considered personal data.

thebullsback, could be worth speaking to the ICO for some guidance if that is your worry. Some fairly relevant advice from GOV as a starting point: here and here

If the employer is tracking them - pretty much all technology can track people these days, but it doesn't mean that is what is happening- it is with their knowledge (the OP says it's tracking them) for business reasons during business hours. What exactly do you see as wrong with that? And where they are working, during working hours, is definitely not personal data! If they are working from the pub or their bedroom when they are supposed to be somewhere else, I think you'll find that isn't "personal data" but "evidence".

Blatchford · 14 January 2020 at 10:54PM

Jsacker wrote: »

If the PC log can identify me or you as an individual, how would that not be considered personal data?

Because the definition of personal data isn't about simply identifying individuals but about legitimate ownership of the information. If you are working on your employers employer's computer then what you are doing is not your personal data. If you doubt that, download a load of !!!!!! and see how that works out for you.

FtbDreaming · 14 January 2020 at 10:55PM

Our housing association have trackers in their vans.. so the workers now sit outside the house for 2 hours after doing the job so it looks like they're still on the job.

Marvel1 · 14 January 2020 at 10:58PM

Employer is paying you too work, not skive, do your job and be where you are suppose too and nothing to worry about

Tracked at work

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