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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Recording people in secret??

31 replies

FlyingHigh222 · 18/01/2021 13:16

Is this legal?
Say in the sense that someone was looking after my child and I didn't fully trust the things that may be said around them. They are not at risk of harm but there may be a serious choice of different parenting/care tactics at hand which they know I don't agree with but they think what I don't know won't hurt me.
Could I voice record them legally whilst my child was in their care.
It wouldnt be shared, would be for personal use only as 'knowledge is power' unless their was anything particularly criminal for example.
Thanks in advance

OP posts:
MaliceOrgan · 18/01/2021 13:32

If you don't trust the person who is looking after your child then get someone you do trust. Don't spy on them.

LibrariesGiveUsPower45321 · 18/01/2021 13:34

“ UK law says that using hidden cameras or audio recorders, or monitoring your employee without informing her is almost always illegal. Data protection law says that secret monitoring in private areas. Such as, toilets and bathrooms and the nanny's own room. Should not happen unless there is a serious crime involved.”

pensivepigeon · 18/01/2021 13:34

Stop having them look after your child if you see things differently to such an extent you don't trust them. Is this unpaid childcare? If paid, you could actually tell them you are recording for whatever purpose - child development monitoring or something.

Daisysflowers · 18/01/2021 13:34

Why would you let them look after your child in the first place??? Confused

You don’t trust them so don’t place your child in their care to begin with.

HOkieCOkie · 18/01/2021 13:36

I’m a nanny and my motto is don’t trust me don’t hire me. How would you like to be recorded in secret, no that’s disgusting.

PicsInRed · 18/01/2021 13:37

No you can't plant a secret recording device in your daughters things to secretly record your ex partner whilst they take care of her.

HTH.

Apple31419 · 18/01/2021 13:38

Many incidents of abuse happen with a trusted party - they wouldn't be looking after them otherwise. It's often family etc.
While I think you can rely on your instincts for day to day stuff, I think there's always a chance you are wrong.
I'd record in secret, make sure it's secure to you and you only and delete the footage after you watch it.

wildraisins · 18/01/2021 13:42

No it's not OK.

If you don't trust someone with your child then don't let them look after your child in the first place.

wildraisins · 18/01/2021 13:43

Oh and if it's your ex, no it's still not OK.

DioneTheDiabolist · 18/01/2021 13:44

Sounds more like the OP is talking about a family member than an employee.

2020quelhorreur · 18/01/2021 13:45

People may not like it, but it def happens uk.bestreviews.guide/nanny-cams

Horehound · 18/01/2021 13:47

It deffo sounds like her ex that's she's trying to spy on.

It may not be legal but if you were worried, id still do it.

GypsyLee · 18/01/2021 13:48

It's not illegal to record, and the law has lot's of grey areas here.
We recorded social service visits, it's not illegal.
My dh checked with his solicitor first.

peboh · 18/01/2021 13:50

Don't you have to the person aware they're being recorded though? I feel like it's only legal if they know.
Instead of filming people, just put your child in the care of someone you trust.

Almostslimjim · 18/01/2021 14:07

No, it isn't legal and would be inadmissible (unusable) in the case of them doing anything criminal unless considered serious crime.

GypsyLee · 18/01/2021 14:09

I'm not sure tbh, surely if you were using it as evisence, telling the person would just make them act properly.
They were telling us all sorts of lies about their involvement being a requirement rather than optional.
One was actually shouting at us, she wouldn't have done that if she'd have been aware of the recording.

peboh · 18/01/2021 14:11

@GypsyLee I believe that if they aren't aware there are cameras then it isn't admissible as evidence.

notalwaysalondoner · 18/01/2021 14:21

I'm pretty sure that it isn't allowed legally - from working in market research you have to declare to people you are observing (e.g. one way mirrors) or recording them. But why don't you google instead of asking MN?

I suspect it is legal to do it, but it wouldn't be legally admissible evidence in court.

GypsyLee · 18/01/2021 14:54

I don't know then, but dh said his solicitor said it wasn't illegal, but maybe different for different reasons.
We did tell ss that we had the recording hadn't shared it and would they like us to send it for their internal enquiry.
Doubt they'd want to use it in court though, they'll just sack the lot, hopefully.
Rare case, usually respect the work of ss, have met some lovely ones.

I'd ask a solicitor, each case seems different, I'd heard it was illegal too.

Notimeforaname · 18/01/2021 14:56

No. Its definitely NOT ok.
If you fear for your child,you must get rid of this person.

Original poster
FlyingHigh222 · 18/01/2021 15:53

Ok so what if it was one set of the grandparents looking after the child. Parents of the child are still together.
But the grandparents in question have been known to shout aggressively at other grandchildren and the mother of this particular child doesn't agree with it. She doesn't want her child been spoken to like that but can't approach the subject without causing huge rows. It has been briefly mentioned before that shouting or such behaviour isn't wanted around that child but the mother is afraid the grandparents would behave the way they want if they thought they could get away with it.

OP posts:
DioneTheDiabolist · 18/01/2021 15:59

Recording them will not avoid huge rows OP.

LaceyBetty · 18/01/2021 16:00

It is not illegal and you don't have to tell the person you are doing it as long as the recordings are for your personal use.

Original poster
FlyingHigh222 · 18/01/2021 16:16

@LaceyBetty that's what I thought but wasn't sure. I just believe that knowledge is power. If I can avoid causing a row with them then I will and if I record then and find that they are respecting our wishes then great. Argument avoided. But if they aren't respecting our wishes, then 1 - I can make excuses for them to not look after the child. I don't want to tell them they can't look after the child or have to keep making up excuses as to why they can't, because that will be hard to uphold, just because I have a bad feeling they won't do as we ask.

OP posts:
Original poster
FlyingHigh222 · 18/01/2021 16:18

Oh and 2 - if they are being disrespectful to our wishes then I will fight my battle because it is warranted. I don't want to cause an issue unless there is one, if you know what I menay

OP posts:
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