Covert CCTV at work

[griff488]

I work in an engineering workshop within a small team of engineers who work rotating shift pattern. recently it has come to light that our immediate management intend to or already have installed a covert CCTV camera in our office. We are unaware of any reasons for them to do this so is it legal?
CCTV is used throughout the site but it is not covert. however there are no signs i place informing you that CCTV is in operation. Should signage be erected?

[chickenboy]

As far as i'm aware, you should be informed that cameras are in operation, its a breach of your human rights if you're not told. We had the same arguement at my place of work and within 2 days the signs appeared. Now that's magic!!!

[Ethel]

Covert cameras can be installed and used in very specific circumstances.

There must be a real suspicion of criminal activity, such as theft, and notifying employees would prevent detection of the crime.

The monitoring must continue only for as long as necessary to get the evidence - if it is not obtained within a reasonable time, the monitoring must stop.

Anything that comes to light from covert monitoring that is not related to the criminal activity must be disregarded, unless something is so serious it would not be reasonable to expect the employer to ignore it.

http://www.worksmart.org.uk/rights/can_my_empl oyer_conduct_covert_monitoring_where

[Ethel]

By the way, your human rights to privacy are not really covered in the work place. Privacy is covered by Article 8:

"Everyone has the right for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence."

An employer can rightfully expect his employee not to be conducting hisprivate life, his home life or dealing with his private correspondence in the workplace, during work time, using work equipment.