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.

Stick some blue tack over the web camera when not in use and maybe get a second laptop or iPad for personal use so they cant monitor what you do in your free time… Definitely a bit creepy tho!

So it's the phone app that monitors you for 3 days, not the web cam?

That makes perfect sense because if you're a lone worker in the community that comes to harm and goes missing, they'll have a better chance of finding you.

What did he say about the web cam? Surely they can only access that while you have it on?

It sounds like the laptop monitoring app is different than the PeopleSafe app.

PeopleSafe is for lone workers to use so that they can be found quickly and have help sent in emergency situations. So if your session ends without you indicating that you're safe, they start trying to get in touch to make sure everything is ok. If the emergency button is pressed, it activates your microphone so the control room can hear what is happening and talk to you.

Laptop monitoring is a separate thing. Sometimes employers randomly use key loggers or screen mirroring to make sure home workers are actually working.

But in a video call meeting or training session, it's also normal to have an alert overlay your screen for a few seconds to let all participants know that the session is being recorded- including their image if the webcam is on. That happens during almost all my meetings and training sessions. It's so we can watch them back if we forget something or need to share the training with colleagues.

We have heaps of monitoring at my work but it’s all in the policy. I turn my laptop off when not using it and only use it for work. Same with my work phone. I keep my camera cover on unless I’m on a video call. No big deal.

That’s slightly dramatic isn’t it?

Do you not have a laptop bag and a cupboard? Take charger out and let it die on the last day of the working week. Put in laptop bag, put in cupboard.
Look for new job.

Some employees may have concerns about employee tracking software and how this will affect their privacy. However, lone workers and individuals using StaySafe have full control over when they start and stop a work session. They will only be tracked whilst in this session or if they activate the panic button.

Microchips in pets at most carry a 15 digit number and take the pets temperature. No GPS tracking facility.
People do use separate GPS tracker collars for their pets.

Stay safe is a different app to the one used

The training was not being recorded

They're using People Safe ypu say?

and it's not in the contract?

is it even a job where it would help you?

yes to the Faraday cage. This is appalling.

@girlmom21

Im due to hear from them today now course has finished.

They can monitor but my web cam is now blocked

I’ve just found out that our company has added monitoring software - ActivTrak - to all our laptops. Seems a bit underhand because they’ve not told us, I only found out at Christmas drinks because HR woman let it slip. I feel a bit weird that team leader can get a printout and screenshots of everything I do. Plus I spend a lot of time making phone calls for work on my own phone (no work phone, company very keen not to spend money) so boss probably thinks I’m doing no work at those times. I almost think I should make a log of calls so I can prove I was working if asked.

There's a couple of things here but I'll statebi absolutely hate any monitoring software like this and it should be banned.

1. the app can't work for 3 days since last used if your phone/laptop are off. I have a phone and laptop from work and most roles over the past decade and turned them off at evenings and weekends as a matter of course.

2. the microphone and camera on your laptop won't do a thing if you shut down and close the lid.

3. I'd have less of an issue with the GPS than the other privacy pieces. I don't have as much a problem with an employer wanting to know where I am during the in working day. Van/lorry drivers have this as standard.

4. get out though as they've taken this way too far and the lack of transparency shows what a shit company they are!

Ask to see their privacy notice, it should (theoretically) tell you exactly what they're doing, why and for how long.

Just to add, it (very likely) is illegal if it is covert.

@Getmeoutofhereitsshit

To be honest this is quite scary
I'd put the laptop away in its case when you aren't using it but seek professional advice on this

And look for another job aswell!!!

I'm so sorry your having to deal with this sending big hugs 🤗

Went to meeting… boss has called in sick

unable to attend !!!

can’t find anything on surveillance or monitoring in the policies

I have found one on the telephone

gird yourself OP
as you are new, they can say you have to agree or leave

Wonder if anyone can advise you from here

bigbrotherwatch.org.uk

it's a small team but they know the law.

They have not actually asked me to agree to anything. How can I agree to surveillance I know nothing about !

But you're about to tell them you know? So that might be their response.

@EmmaAgain22

I am planning on going on yeah and won’t list it on my CV. I’m just staying until the end of January and hope to have secured something new by then

@EmmaAgain22 there response was speak to IT - there should be nothing wrong computer.

what a joke