Employer extreme surveillance

[Getmeoutofhereitsshit]

I recently started a new job with the very best intentions.

This week I have been on a training course. It’s a regulated course and has an exam at the end. it’s being held using zoom.

During the course today I had my camera on and there was suddenly a pink overlay over my camera. I thought perhaps there was a connection problem however a couple of seconds later a message came up on my screen saying another app is accessing my webcam and can see me!

It totally freaked me out. It went on for about 5 minutes. Everyone else in the training camera was fine.

I then emailed the boss saying that I was on a training course and I have to have my camera on and it stopped working due to surveillance. His response call the IT department.

I then contacted an old contact of mine who worked at the company. He told me that they mirror you on the computer and take shots of you and whatever you have on the screen.

They were reported to the union a while ago.

Anyway upon further digging around I found out the app they use for lone working continues to monitor you after you have finished your work activity for a further 3 DAYS. This means we’re being tracked and under surveillance in the evening, holidays and weekends… They also want to use the app in personal vehicles.

Im worried. I work at home and often go open my curtains in the morning in my pjs or undressed. I’m worried my employer has seen me. I live alone.

I’m freaking out. I feel very stressed.

Sorry it's the information commissioner's office. Read the second article on the page about monitoring at work.

@FlamingJingleBells

can you send the link please

this one

ico.org.uk/media/about-the-ico/consultations/4021868/draft-monitoring-at-work-20221011.pdf

Thanks so much

I have meeting tomorrow with the boss.
im dreading it.

will report back on what he says about being caught out !!

Wow! Here for the outcome. Getting scary out there!

Peoplesafe lone working app cannot access the web camera.

It's a lone working app that is used for lone working. It can open a voice channel to hear what's happening if an alert or timed sessions runs out but no camera.

It does have a GPS tracker.

I have used this at lots of companies and it's my job to have admin rights to it.

Don't know why their operative told you that or why you think your screen was mirrored.

If your laptop did not come with a manual camera shutter, you can buy a aftermarket one for next to nothing. I only open my camera on either my home or work machine when I knowingly take a video call. I know my employer isn’t watching me work because that would create security issues because not everyone at my job has the right to see what I am working on. I still keep my camera closed. It’s just a good habit. No chance of accidentally accepting a video call when you aren’t really ready for one.

when done for the day, turn off your computer. It’s strongly recommended for good home/work balance for people who wfh anyway. If the computer is on you will be tempted to open it up and check email. Turning it off and putting it away enforces a strict divide between work and personal life.

check out unison - it says about employers wanting to microchip employees - this is the same technology as that used for pets

Seeing as the govt couldn't even get identity cards brought in, I find this hugely doubtful.

@GettingTooOldForThis

im referring to two issues (1) laptop with web cam and (2) phone with app

@GettingTooOldForThis

so what can you see and when can you see it ??

@NextPrimeMinister

very good point - are you up for prime minister?

You can't see anything it's based on mobile phone SIM cards and all we can see as managers is your GPS location or if you are in alert status the monitoring station can hear through the voice channel what's going on

That's the government though who are as much use as a chocolate teapot

If amazon decide to start microchipping employees however....

I have never heard or seen anything that suggests the app can open a laptop or phone camera.

Why on earth does OP need to turn off AND unplug AND put in a cupboard? The only one that is necessary is turning off.

If you need to do this training as part of your job then they should be paying for it (or you should be getting at least NMW when you deduct the costs that you are paying for it from your wage).
Report them here: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/national-minimum-wage-enquiries-and-complaints

I seem to remember that if you're on a compulsory course and your employer doesn't meet thé full cost you can claim the 'extra' cost against tax under S198 income and corporation taxes act, it's an extra-statutory concession.
So, stationery, coffees, pens, folders for notes etc etc

I made a claim, but be careful. I had free tea/coffee at work, a taxable benefit, but claimed the 'extra' cost when on training courses.

That does seem a lot. My calls are all recorded and my screen is also recorded all day but it's not looked at really unless they're looking at a specific call recording

Free tea and coffee isn't a taxable benefit as long as it is provided to all employees at all grades. Same applies to free or subsidised canteens as long as available to all employees.

Not sure about legally, but that's creepy af!

Wtaf

I'd be looking for another job

Have you started being paid by your employer yet ?

If you are employed, all the courses should be free

I've heard that some companies say that if a person leaves within a year, they will charge you the course fees. But this fact is made clear at the start of employment

I have completed lots of courses at work & they have all been free. This includes ones where the employer has paid for external courses, so they have paid for travel, food, hotel, exam too

@Getmeoutofhereitsshit the link is the highlighted text in blue, just click on that. I didn't want to post a long link.