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AIBU?

Boss and CCTV

56 replies

TheWitTank · 02/07/2015 19:27

Boss is currently away on holiday (2 weeks in a far away destination) and has left me and 3 other members of staff to run the business while he is away. We currently have cctv to monitor entrances and the two general work areas.
Before he left he was messing around for an afternoon installing a screen in his office. Didn't think much of it. We have found out that he has set up more cctv and has been recording us while he is on holiday -and has also been watching us frequently (which seems a bit peculiar to me while on a break).
I'm not concerned at all about my work or anything I've done -I've just worked as normal. But aibu to be a bit pissed off that he felt the need to sneakily add extra cameras and coverage and record us? It seems very underhand not to mention it, like he's trying to catch us out. I've been working for him a long time as have the other staff. No problems. If he had said something I would have been fine. Is it actually legal to record someone without their knowledge or any signs?

OP posts:
UsainWho · 02/07/2015 19:42

We have CCTV at work but there is a sign up about where they are etc., I think that's a requirement. Is there no way you could accidentally put some boxes in front of the cameras or something? Or adjust its angle to point at a boring corner?

I'd be v hacked off if my boss did this to me.

cashewnutty · 02/07/2015 19:43

That is very bizarre and a bit creepy. I would not be happy about being filmed covertly at work.

Fatmomma99 · 02/07/2015 19:46

C'mon! You expect us to believe you've never sneakily picked your nose???? Scratched your bum???? (or am I the only one?)

Very weird and certainly creepy.

Does the boss own the business? Don't know what the legal rights are, but it's pretty horrid and certainly sends out the message that you all are not to be trusted.

IAmAShitHotLawyer · 02/07/2015 19:48

how do you know he's been watching you?

flora717 · 02/07/2015 19:52

Is it possible a n other member of staff is not acting honestly and he's deliberately sought to catch someone out?

Bulldogclip · 02/07/2015 19:58

I have a client that does this. It's a garage.

honestpointofview · 02/07/2015 19:59

Hi

It may be a breach of the Data Protection Act. he will need a good reason for covert surveillance see ico.org.uk/media/for-organisations/documents/1128/quick_guide_to_the_employment_practices_code.pdf

TheWitTank · 02/07/2015 20:18

Not a garage in this case, but a trade/working area yes.
Nothing untoward going on with the other staff, not much cash goes through the business, more card payments and cheques, all closely monitored (by me as well as boss!). Other staff are long term employees.
I know the cctv is accessed by mobile phone while he is away (he has alluded to this in the past when chatting and he has mentioned seeing this and that while on holiday). You can also tell by an icon on one of the computers when it is being accessed remotely (doesn't know we know this). It's a lot of watching.
I'm not at all worried about what's on cctv and actually wouldn't have an issue if I had been told. It's just the underhand sneaky way it's been done. Plus I'm not sure of recording people without telling them is legal!

OP posts:
Fatmomma99 · 02/07/2015 20:21

been thinking about this since I posted.

Does boss know you know?

If not, you could have some B R I L L I A N T fun.

so far I'm thinking...


(if there's more enough of you in the team) x pretends to be having an affair with y and then gets it on with z, all on camera.

stage a robbery/hold up complete with ski masks and guns

mass flashing at the camera

all of you crawl into work on your hands and knees and then randomly pop up

write rude notes and anonymously put them in front of the camera

I'm sure there's more.

Oh yes: Can you pretend to be international terrorists? Spies? Fake a phone call where you have a massive argument and go bat-shit crazy and tell the biggest client to fuck off for ever?

Pretend you've all won the lottery and are going to collectively quit

CassieBearRawr · 02/07/2015 20:36

Is there anything about CCTV in your contract? Are there signs up? Employees need to be aware they may be being recorded (and it has to be for a reason, i.e. security, not just cause you fancy it). You could always have a chat with ACAS and see what they say.

WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 02/07/2015 20:39

Go with fatmomma's plan!

At least he will have to own up and explain why the camera is there!

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 02/07/2015 20:57

Harlem Shake?

LongDistanceLove · 02/07/2015 21:04
  1. Using CCTV


If your business uses CCTV, you must tell people they may be recorded.

This is usually done by displaying signs, which must be clearly visible and readable.

You must alsonotify the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)why you’re using the CCTV.

You should control who can see the recordings, and make sure the system is only used for the purpose it was intended for.

If the system was set up to detect crime, you should not use it to monitor the amount of work done by your staff

Letting people see CCTV recordings

Anyone can ask to see images that you’ve recorded of them. You must provide these within 40 days, and can charge up to £10.

Find out more about using CCTV on theICOwebsite.

Data protection rules don’t apply if you install a camera on your own home

From the .gov website.
Jelliebabe1 · 02/07/2015 21:59

^ what they said! Legally you can't have CCTV without signs warning of it!

paulapompom · 02/07/2015 22:04

Fatmomma that is fantastic. Crawling in and popping up made me laugh so much. Sorry op I haven't been helpful, fwiw I would feel annoyed.

Fatmomma99 · 02/07/2015 23:10

sorry to disrespect the serious posts (and I do get that this is serious), but I've got more.

Is there sound?

Could you all gather round discussing how you think the boss is committing fraud and debating whether you should contact HMRC?

Equally, same, but boss is hiring illegal immigrants? Same but to whichever government department that is?

I honestly think that this CCTV is potentially comedy gold!

Fatmomma99 · 02/07/2015 23:13

I've got another one....


If boss is male, could one of you come in thinking you're pregnant and that it's his?

You could all debate for hours (in work time) about whether to tell him/wife and family or not.

This is a thread that keeps on giving!

DragonsCanHop · 02/07/2015 23:15

I know it's a serious post post fatmomma has made me laugh, how about some girl on girl fake action or a fake bust up/punch up with a customer or just drape tea towels over the new cameras.

Fatmomma99 · 02/07/2015 23:16

Sorry, another one...

A FANTASTIC new potential contract, worth gazillions to boss, but with a dodgy back-story (potentially funding fundamentalists or similar). Discuss in front of camera and agree to hide!

I do realize this is just me on my own, but this thread is GOLD!

snowglobemouse · 02/07/2015 23:18

I had a boss like this. accused me of stealing from the till and then when I told him he'd better fucking check the cameras or I wouldn't be working for him anymore he claimed they were false cameras 'for show'. therefore I must have been stealing. they weren't. he was a cunt

DragonsCanHop · 02/07/2015 23:21

Fake the Balifs arriving and removing all the computer equipment plus the cameras.

Set the fire alarm off, all running screaming from the building and leave a smoke machine in reception ...

Masked men run in and kidnap you all and then ask for ransom via cctv

SayThisOnlyOnce · 02/07/2015 23:23

I LOVE fatmommas ideas. I think you should also have a zombie invasion.

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DragonsCanHop · 02/07/2015 23:23

X post snow even funnier if you act out something crazy and he comes back non the wiser!

Fatmomma99 · 02/07/2015 23:24

Fantastic, Dragons... much better than mine.

Are there more?

Got one: An American offering to buy for gazillions - internet millionaire - staff declining in his absence!

(this thread is SO much fun!!!!)

Fatmomma99 · 02/07/2015 23:25

Zombies!!!!!!!!!!

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