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In office monitoring

  • 24-10-2024 10:38AM
    #1
    AnonWorkQuestion
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1 ✭


    I have a question about in office monitoring

    I work in an office where computer desks are in a closed off area that requires badge access

    The workplace is implementing a policy that tracks all in and out activity

    I would understand if this was on a broad level, such as going in and out of the building. But due to our office setup, it will be possible to track exactly when someone leaves their desk. therefore exact time and duration of going to the bathroom, going to the canteen etc will all be stored. I don't think I want to work somewhere where they know that on Wednesday the 16th I stepped out to take a call for two mins.

    Personally I find this invasive and draconian. This data is going to be stored for the long-term and analysed

    Is this all fully legal?
    Are there limits to data collection storage and usage?
    Is there any way to object? It feels a bit powerless to be told this is happening.
    If I'm not happy is my only choice to leave?

    Edit: apologies, I meant to put this in the work problems folder

    Post edited by AnonWorkQuestion on


Comments

  • #2
    Mrs OBumble
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,574 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    There are places where your activity is tracked to that level, all your calls are recorded too, and the specific client records that you access are also tracked.

    It's legal provided you are told, the data collection is proportionate to the risks involved, and the data is stored /accessed appropriately. (That's a very rough statement, but touches the ideas).

    Sounds like it's time for you look at a new career.

    Post edited by Mrs OBumble on


  • #3
    FunkyChicken24
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 87 ✭✭FunkyChicken24


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058377553/in-office-monitoring

    I think the issue is more what they do with this data and if they are giving you a hard time over every absence and making you justify it to them. It may well be that they will only discuss it with you if you are taking the piss.

    Obviously it can feel like an invasion of privacy, although to me it is more infantilising rather than invading my privacy unless they are listening into phone calls.

    I would get your CV ready and start looking for other opportunities but give things a chance and see what there approach is.



  • #4
    506972617465
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70 ✭✭506972617465


    To add to the above posters, it is also safe to assume that the IT admins know everything about every single thing you do; every keystroke, every message, email, phone call and so on. And if you have a company phone with the procured "work profile" they also get access to a lot more. And even if you delete your data, the company is storing it according to their backup policies, which can last from 1 month to eternity. Source: I'm a tech.



  • #5
    Cup
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 119 ✭✭ Cup


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122766632#Comment_122766632

    I would alter this a bit to say, IT admins may be able to see a lot of what you do, keystrokes excepted in general - as this is not something that is standardly tracked - but unless they’re severely under utilized and a little bit bored, they don’t care. Unless you’re under investigation or your company wants to get rid of you, nobody is tracking all of your interactions.

    Saying that, a report tracking your check in and out times could easily be generated and reported on, so I’d also be asking what this information will be used for, and thinking about making a move if it would be proactively monitored.



  • #6
    506972617465
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70 ✭✭506972617465


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122766668#Comment_122766668

    From my personal experience (telecoms/banking) I can say that pretty much everything is being grabbed, but as you've said, it's only used when there's an ongoing investigation. Yeah, nobody bothers to know what Sinéad from B7 is doing but WHEN we need to know, then we need to know everything.

    Shout-out to one of the major Irish banks and a court case from over a decade ago, that, if lost, could've cost them tens of millions.

    Thankfully I moved on from this soulless **** and I'm off to do bigger and better things.



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