Table of Contents
What are some examples of workplace surveillance?
These methods include employee monitoring software, time clocks, video surveillance, GPS systems and biometric technology. Video surveillance, for example, can strengthen your business’s security and productivity.
How long should employers retain health surveillance records for?
As a general rule, individual health records should be kept for at least 40 years from the date of the last entry. However, some regulations may require you to keep them for much longer as ill-health effects might not emerge for a very long period after exposure.
What are health surveillance records?
Health surveillance is a system of ongoing health checks. These health checks may be required by law for employees who are exposed to noise or vibration, ionising radiation, solvents, fumes, dusts, biological agents and other substances hazardous to health, or work in compressed air.
What is workplace surveillance?
Workplace surveillance is any form of employee monitoring undertaken by an employer. This means that workplace monitoring can now vary drastically, from fairly basic and rudimentary surveillance, to much more complex and technology-driven monitoring.
Is audio surveillance legal in the workplace?
Generally, employers are not allowed to listen to or record conversations of their employees without the consent of the parties involved. However, employers may install audio recording devices in any location that is used for work, though cafeterias, break rooms and locker rooms are off limits.
What records might be kept by front of house staff?
Staff records you should keep employment history – date employment began, promotions, job title(s) absence – records of lateness, sickness, and any other authorised or unauthorised absences. personal details – name, address, emergency phone number(s), qualifications, work-relevant disability.
How long should health and safety records be kept?
five years
There are different health and safety records retention periods to be aware of, but as a rule of thumb, most health and safety records should be kept for five years. Risk assessment records should be kept as long as the particular process or activity that the record refers to is still being performed.
Who can carry out health surveillance?
Medical surveillance should be carried out under the supervision of a qualified occupational health nurse or medical practitioner familiar with the aims of health surveillance and the process you work with.
Why are workplace surveillance systems so pervasive?
More pervasive and personal every year, the “datafication” of employee behavior attracts employers as it promises improved compliance, performance, and security. Pursuit of these benefits has led to increasingly intertwined tracking–ingrained and ubiquitous–fed to management dashboards and optimization algorithms.
What are the exceptions for workplace video surveillance?
Any records created as a result of workplace video surveillance are not to be used or disclosed except in certain circumstances. Exceptions include a legitimate purpose related to employment or business functions, a requirement that the footage is presented to law enforcement or a need for the footage in civil or criminal proceedings.
What’s the role of HR in workplace surveillance?
While everyone plays a part in workplace surveillance laws, the human resource department’s role is one of the most important. Employers have an obligation to provide a safe workspace for all employees. HR professionals are essential for the execution of this.
What was the California Supreme Court decision on surveillance at work?
The California Supreme Court (Hernandez v. Hillsides, Inc., 211 P.3d 1063 (Cal. 2009) has also advised employers to disclose the existence of workplace video surveillance in writing to employees, and require employees to sign a receipt of notice.