Clementine,
It all depends on what the camera is there for and I doubt the fact that it
is a static one is relevant here - but check the ICO guidelines as there is
a section on use and the requirement to notify which may help. For example a
camera in a warehouse designated to be monitoring for Health and Safety
infringements then cannot be used to discipline the bloke who takes an extra
5 minutes each day having a sit down behind some pallettes. A quiet word
that the camera has spotted him would be enough.
Ideally you will have a policy and/or notices that state the use of the
camera and if the use includes staff discipline, then the images can be
used. However if they do not cover this use, unless there is a criminal
element to the things this man does, then they probably cannot be used.
I would be inclined to tell the individual that certain allegations have
been made, and that in future the camera may be used to check who was
admitted to the premises and when, and from this point on this camera may be
used for disciplinary purposes - if you want to go that far.
I always advise camera signs state their purposes so that no one is in any
doubt. For example, they could cover H&S infringements, crime prevention and
detection, Staff protection and protection of the company from staff
infringements (obviously you would want to use better language on a notice).
A policy stating the uses, and even including the fact that cameras may be
used for disciplinary purposes should be put into operation.
So long as everyone affected knows why the cameras are there and they are
not placed in inappropriate areas, then there should be no problem. Check
the ICO guidelines and code of practice on CCTV, it's an option from the
Data Protection menu on their web site.
Hope this helps.
Simon.
-----Original Message-----
From: Clementine Amawo [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 02 February 2006 13:52
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [data-protection] DP - CCTV - Advise please
Hello all,
This is the scenario -
A member of staff works for us on behalf of an agent in a homeless unit.
The agents have complained that this member of staff has been known to
allow homeless people to doss at this homeless unit without completing
relevant forms etc. So, it is now known by those that need such a place,
that if you go down to so and so, you will be let in no question asked no
paperwork completed.
At the entrance of the building of the homeless unit is CCTV (fixed) with
the relevant signage for all to see, it covers just the area of the
entrance of the homeless unit and a part of the reception area. The manager
of this member of staff now wants to know where he stand in terms of
looking at recorded CCTV images in order to find out whether the member of
staff is actually breaching policy. The manager has confirmed that though
the CCTV cannot be manipulated, in terms of zooming in and out and all that
high tech stuff, the recorded images can be zoomed in on. So in other
words, he will zoom in on a recorded image in order to find out what this
member of staff has been doing.
The manager is wary of doing this in case the member of staff comes back
shouting invasion of privacy, etc.
I have advised the manager that the best way round this is to let the
member of staff know that complaints have been made against him and give
the staff member a chance to tell his own side of things.
If the manager feels that the case needs investigating further (including
looking at recorded images) (towards disciplinary and all that), then he
should inform the staff member of such.
Could anyone tell me what the procedure is regarding FIXED CCTV in this
situation.
Cheers
Clementine Amawo
Information Management / Date Protection Officer
Circle Anglia Ltd
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