Observations
There are wider implication than DPA for Home workers using their own PC's
e.g. Employers Health and Safety obligations in provisions of safe place of
work and safe equipment etc. Ensure both employer and employee understand
and agree on their respective positions and responsibilities to reduce
risks. In terms of information management, challenges certainly arise where
the security of the home workers PC is in question. e.g. Shared by family
may have not access security software, be vunerable to virus attacks. Are
you going to be permitted a security audit at such a location? Files
migrated by floppy disk / CD / email need to be screened before entering
your network etc. Security of email in transit another consideration. Home
working whilst a desirable direction for enlightened employers has a whole
raft of challenges and may not be as cost beneficial as first assumed e.g.
Employer not providing the processing computer and saving desk space in
their premises.
Providing the equipment the processing is undertaken on eg. laptops,
certainly make things easier in terms of managing liability.
David Wyatt
----- Original Message -----
From: "Roy Morris" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2003 4:36 PM
Subject: [data-protection] Home Working
> Like other organisations we are considering increasing home/flexible
> working for staff. We are concerned about the risks to personal
information
> and are in the process of putting together guidance information for staff.
> I just wondered what other local authorities do in this respect.
>
> For example, do you allow staff:
> - to use their own PCs to complete work at home?
> - to email work home for completion and then email it back to the office?
>
> If you don't allow home PCs to be used, do you:
> - purchase home PCs for staff?
> - insist on the use of laptops for office/home use?
>
> Have you produced guidance for home working?
>
> I am quite happy to share the anonymised responses if anyone is
interested.
>
> Many thanks to those providing input.
>
> Roy Morris
>
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