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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Can I say no to my pic on work website?

29 replies

38cody · 03/11/2015 00:28

My workplace have updated their website and alongside staff list they want pics of everyone, the thing is, I don't want my photograph on the site, I don't feel comfortable with it, I'm quite a private person, I don't do facebook or any photosharing apps generally and I just don't want it. I am middle management - Is it my right to refuse? AIBU to make a fuss and contact my union if they insist?

OP posts:

chumbler · 03/11/2015 00:29

Just say no and explain, no biggie

Chchchchangeabout · 03/11/2015 00:38

I am the same has generally worked so far

Mmmmcake123 · 03/11/2015 00:39

Wear a balaclava lol
Sorry just felt like being a bit silly

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 03/11/2015 01:12

Of course you can.

toffeeboffin · 03/11/2015 01:20

Just say no, no explanation really needed.

CardinalPoint · 03/11/2015 01:25

I wouldn't like it either although I guess it depends on the job. I suppose with some jobs it would be necessary. My unusual name doesn't come up at all if you google it and as far as I know I don't have any photos on any websites. I don't do Facebook or anything like that. I really wouldn't want my photo on a company website.

I'd either go with the baraklava idea or perhaps you could tell them you are in a witness protection program.

NewBallsPlease00 · 03/11/2015 02:06

I would simply state that your image isn't available for any external facing uses due to privacy reasons.

WyrdByrd · 03/11/2015 05:57

Totally reasonable to not want to be on it, but can I ask that you are sensible and honest about the request.

I'm the person building the website where I work. At the moment it is at prototype stage and has photos of staff - the whole thing will be reviewed and edited prior to being published online.

I have recently had a member of staff throw an almighty diva strop at me in a meeting over her picture being used which was totally unnecessary and hugely unpleasant (she'd already mentioned it prior to the meeting and I'd told her if she didn't want it on there it didn't have to be).

Also claimed to have no pics on social media due to data protection issues which was, frankly, BS!

Senpai · 03/11/2015 07:42

Depends on your occupation. But I would weigh the pros and cons of not conforming to office culture. Unfortunately management is not unbiased and tend to promote and show favor to people they like. It won't directly affect you, but if they get it through their heads that you don't like attention or being in the spot light you could get over looked when promotions come around. It's all well and good to do what you're comfortable with, but it's not always good business sense.

So if it truly means a lot to you, then don't do it. But if it's not going to keep you up at night, it might be in your best interest to go along with it. It's just a silly company site.

cherrytree63 · 03/11/2015 07:45

When my workplace did something similar we had to sign a consent form for our photos to be used. I thought that would have been a standard procedure, but obviously not!

RhiWrites · 03/11/2015 08:41

You have the right to refuse because of di

RhiWrites · 03/11/2015 08:42

You have the right to refuse because of digital privacy legislation. My team at work collects photos for our staff profile pages and we always let people know that they have the right to say no.

ForChina · 03/11/2015 08:50

I can't see what harm it would possibly do to have your photo on there or even how it would affect you in any way. I think it's a nice way of making a company friendly rather than faceless. I think YABU.

ineedabodytransplant · 03/11/2015 17:11

I'd refuse. But that's because I'm an ugly bastard

AlwaysHope1 · 03/11/2015 17:13

yes you are being ridiculous, presumably you don't walk around with your face covered at work? It is useful to place a face to the name in the work environment.

thegiddylimit · 03/11/2015 17:25

You can refuse but be aware that you do not own your image (the photographer owns the copyright) and they can use it without your permission.

TBH I can't really see why you think having a presumably professional photograph on your company's website can harm you in any way. Unless you are actually in a Witness Protection Programme.

NorthenFeminist · 03/11/2015 17:48

I wouldn't want mine on. Don't ever want abusive ex to ever track me down.

specialsubject · 03/11/2015 18:52

there is an obvious difference between being seen in real life and being plastered on the internet.

and many on here have shown the reasons why they don't want to be plastered on the internet.

Crinkle77 · 03/11/2015 19:30

I don't really get the big deal unless you would be in some sort of danger from having your image publically available.

yeOldeTrout · 03/11/2015 20:46

Someone I know refuses because he's a secret spook into his privacy.

IWasHereBeforeTheHack · 03/11/2015 21:00

If you are the only one, it can come across, perversely, as attention seeking. I'm guessing your name will be listed, and therefore searchable, with just a blank square / question mark / silhouette instead of a photo?

We had this in my office. Then the boss decided to take all names and photos off the website again. So if you don't like it, just wait a while - fashions change.

Doobigetta · 03/11/2015 22:01

I've refused to have my photo on a company intranet in the past- when I was on the IT service desk because we'd occasionally get loony stalker types who thought they were our friends, and I didn't particularly want them to connect the name with the face when I was minding my own business in the canteen. Tbh it wasn't really worth the hassle of having to justify myself half a dozen times. If they haven't already got your photo I'd just quietly forget to provide it. If they have one, if they already have it, I'd console yourself with the thought that your face only stands out from the crowd to you because it's your face. No-one else really cares as much and they've probably seen you pulling unflattering faces before.

janethegirl2 · 03/11/2015 22:08

I have refused to have my photo on a work website in the past as did many others but seems that they're trying to do it again. I will never permit my photo to be used for corporate purposes.

Hayels · 03/11/2015 22:17

You can say no obviously but be aware that by doing so, you're marking yourself out physically - presumably your name will be on the website along with everyone else's photos and a blank space where you should be - and psychologically as a bit awkward and precious. Rightly or wrongly

MagickPants · 03/11/2015 22:19

I grudgingly accepted my photo being taken for work without fully understanding what it was for (I thought it was for the intranet - names to faces - fine)

Then it was inserted on my email account (gmail)

and then from there got into my personal gmail account!

I was furious and deleted it without discussing it with anyone. I am sure it was done unintentionally (in the sense that no one thought through that people had two gmail accounts, and the implications) (which are really fucking unclear actually even when you do think it through and try to investigate it) - but - it was a horrible photo and I felt like a right dick thinking I might have emailed someone like, someone on the PTA, or something, with that stupid photo.

Then I thought on a bit ... and thought: Actually I hate the implications of us being represented online in a huge global company by a headshot, that can't be avoided (they don't have to look it up). It's like pandering to people's willingness to have doggy doggy irrational thoughts and judgements on people, based not on your email, or job title, but ... something like "young pretty mixed race girl". Wouldn't you rather have "Director, Home Entertainment" rather than "mmmm she looks nice"?

So... sorry I have no idea what you can do but I wish to fuck that you didn't have to go along with this shit.

Nothing happened to me when I unilaterally took my pic off my email account. But I think it's anti-equality and shouldn't be encouraged at all

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