Being spied on it work

[midlifespices]

I work for a company with

Sorry for typo - should read 'Being spied on at work'

Surely it is illegal to record someone without their knowledge!? I would have thought so, but don't know.
Don't blame you at all for not being happy about it. Sorry not to have anything more constructive than solidarity to offer

That's appalling. They have no right to do that without informing you.

You’d need to read your contract of employment to see what is says about employee monitoring. I’m sure this isn’t reasonable, even if it is in there and they should be informing you what they are doing.

Talk to them tomorrow and ask for it to be relocated. Also contact your union.

I'd probably email them

"Hi Boss, I've noticed in addition to the door cctv that there are now additional cameras in locations across the workplace. In order to comply with regulations on overt cameras, would you like me to print and laminate some signage for the offices as staff should be made aware of them? Let me know and I can get them sorted by the end of the week"

The thing is, I like my job, I don't want to rock the boat as my contract is up for renewal shortly I just cannot think why they'd be interested in anything I'm saying! Do people really playback and listen to these things or do you think they can just tap in every now and then?

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz - I'm not sure I can be so bold!

What do you think the reaction would be from your boss if you simply said, "I've noticed a new camera on my desk. Are you recording me?"

Where exactly is it placed in relation to your desk?

Are you near a door? Or is it on a pillar with a view of the whole office? It seems highly unlikely to be monitoring only you?

When you say it has moved, where from? From appearing to watch another person's desk, or a door/room? Could easily be it's been 'dumped' as broken...there's always one place that accumulates the broken stuff.

It may well be a coincidence this new software came about. Perhaps someone put in a suggestion, or it's been in the pipeline a while....I doubt it's the case that just install random software people chat about as good....(if so remind me to talk loudly in my office about the benefits of a coffee machine).

That is surely illegal?

Can you put a bag over it?

This is illegal.

I would consider simply moving it

It is illegal, but the OP's contract is up for renewal so I can see why she doesn't want to go in all guns blazing. Is it plugged in? I'd be turning the switch off if so and see what happens then.

it's moved from a more communal area and has definitely been put here deliberately as is plugged in. It doesn't just look at me, but there are multiple other places that could provide similar view without recording anyone.

I could easily move it so it's not looking a me, but I assume the microphone would still pick up conversations.

Completely agree that its more likely a coincidence that the new software appeared.

I'd just move it and say it was making me uncomfortable. No need to make an issue at all

I have wondered about accidentally turning it off. The fact that they haven't said, "this camera is here because of x, please don't turn it off' makes me think that it's spying on me.

Do you have any nice, heavy lever-arch files you could accidentally drop on it?

I'd hang my coat on it. Any reaction to that would tell you what is going on!
Or, as a pp said, just ask.

Move it and if you’re asked say that you were worried about breaking it or spilling coffee over it. If they insist on it being by your desk, pour a drink over it and say ‘Whoops, I knew this would happen!’

Unplug it. Or put a nice picture of a partner/cat/dog/children right in front of it. Or dl both, then see what happens.

Time to start talking to yourself at work:

"Oh, look, what's this funny thing? Is it a camera, some pervy person trying to upskirt me or looking down my cleavage? Well whoever you are, you sad prick , bugger off ... "

They need to display signage explaining that you're being captured on CCTV and provide a documented privacy policy letting you know the purpose of the recordings, who will own and process the data.

Under GDPR you have the right to request the footage and for it to be deleted, they can refuse that if it compromises someone else's security or company confidential information but would need to be able to justify that.

I'd unplug it and see what happened. If it was plugged in again with no comment, I'd be really worried. If you were asked about it, I'd tell them you were disturbed by the implications.