Boss and CCTV

[TheWitTank]

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?

He is quite a difficult man to talk to (especially when he is so angry) but I think I'm going to have to. Trust me, I'm no doormat, but this is going to rock the boat big time. I'm scared of losing my job without having something else lined up (although I don't think he could actually sack me for being honest it wouldn't make working life very comfortable!). But I think that's what I'm going to have to do. I certainly don't want to ruin the man's business, but it's not right is it!

Fatmomma loving your ideas!

I was secretly filmed by a camera installed in the ceiling above the till in a shop I worked in many years ago. I'm still really upset about it and even started a thread about it not long ago to see if it had happened to anyone else.

Apparently someone was caught thieving from the till after I had left that job, but I'm still really paranoid about being spied on. It has really affected me badly.

Glad to hear you're going to make your feelings known, Wit. Silly arse won't have considered the effect of his devious antics on morale, but if he's anything like my old boss he needs educating! (Typical comment from my old boss when I was outlining a modest incentive scheme I wanted to implement for my team "They have mortgages to pay, don't they? What greater incentive to perform than that?")

Can you not all gather in front of the camera and say "Good morning; what is it you particularly want to find out about today, so we can show you now and save you having to waste your holiday watching us?"
Let him know you know he is watching you covertly (illegal) and ask for a discussion about it when he returns, more in sorrow than in anger.
The hang a sock over the camera.

Umm yeah Goblin - did you RTFT? The boss is back and things have moved on a bit.....

I'd suggest you put a print-out of the regulations LongDistance and ephemeralfairy quoted on his desk with the relevant sections highlighted.