GDPR Question

[BreakfastAtLitanies]

Posting here in hope of traffic!

Can anyone tell me about workplace and GDPR?

For example, for a manager and their team to have a work WhatsApp group?

Or for volunteers to discuss shifts on a WhatsApp group?

What's more - while the manager says it is voluntary for people to join this group, they've made it part of the absence procedure to message on these groups if they're going to be absent - is this in line with GDPR?

I work for a small business part time and I'm just trying to understand something that's a bit above my head

Just say you don't do social media.

GDPR is about the storage and use of personally identifying data. No implications in what you've posted. Doesn't mean it's particularly good practice necessarily!

Surely there must be some breach of confidentiality at the very keast. If you're absent from work due to what ever reason then it's no one else's business.

I think what I mean @peachgreen is surely once you join a group chat, everyone in it gets your number? Even though you're not giving permission for each person to hold it directly? Or is this okay? Thank you for the help

By joining the group you would be seen to be giving permission.

If you have work mobile phone then presumably that could be used rather than a personal number? If you don't have a work phone and it's part of the absence procedure ask for a work phone to use for those purposes... ?

Could that be a work round?

Your employer can't force you to use WhatsApp with your personal phone and phone number if you don't want to, although it can be a useful way of communicating with each other quickly, especially if you're a dispersed team.

I woke for a large organisation, we have a social media policy that includes use of messaging apps such as WhatsApp. This states that teams can use them as a contact channel for teams, but mustn't post any confidential, personal or sensitive information.

Are you expected to message the group to say if you'll be off sick? If so, I don't think that's acceptable as you shouldn't have to share the reasons for your sickness with the team. However, I think it's ok for your manager to ask you to use WhatsApp to message them directly to say you'll be off sick.

Ohh I see! Hmm. Yes I think that would be covered - they would have to get your permission before adding you to the group and therefore distributing your number.