data protection

[Thunderchild]

My sister works for a care home and has an issue with the fact that anyone seems to be able to access her files, any member of staff seems to be able to look into anyone elses records, payslips are deposited in this "comunal" file system where they could easily go amiss (where i work my payslip is handed directly to me and my details are not open for every tom dick and harry to walk off with). As far as I'm aware this is in breech of the data protection act, what should we do ?

[bednobs]

speak with the management of the care home - they may not even realise there is a problem. My paysip comes in the internal post, so anyone coul look at mine i suppose!

[Thunderchild]

well you see its also the issues of everyones files being accesable, I though under the data protection act any organisation (chairty, social club or business) has to have in place a PROCEDURE under which members or employees details are retained in a secure way and not accessible to all. for the management to not know this is the case is redicolous and frankly with all that goes on there they probably don't care

[Androcles]

You should see http://www.ico.gov.uk.../data_protection.aspx - it tells you what you want to know

[Messalina]

You're right, it is a breech. Apart from anything else, it comes under the "unnecssary disclosure" article (can't remember the number). One important thing to point out to your management is that under Data Protection, legal action is taken against the individual & not against the corporate body. Take a look the the Information Commissions website: http://www.ico.gov.uk/

[Thunderchild]

thanks guys as it is she has trouble with another employee now it seems anyone can access her phone number so a self important cooks assistanct rings her up to "tell her what to do" although she is perfectly capable of managing her job during work hours, nor being disturbed at home unneccesarily