London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

What are the rules on workplace surveillance?

Barclays has faced a backlash after it piloted a system that tracked the time employees spent at their desks. The company has since scrapped the system - but how common is workplace surveillance and what lengths are employers allowed to go to monitor their staff?

What was Barclays doing?

Barclays says the computer monitoring software was intended to tackle issues such as individual over-working, as well as raise general productivity.

As well as tracking the computer activity of workers, the software firm, Sapience, says it also determines when an employee goes offline.

The story was first reported by City AM, which said the system told staff to avoid breaks and had warned one staffer they had "not enough time in the Zone yesterday".

In 2017 Barclays also faced criticism after installing heat and motion devices to check whether desks were being used. It said the aim was to assess use of office space.


What staff surveillance have other companies used?

Many large companies use "non-traditional" monitoring techniques, according to research firm Gartner. That can include analysing emails, computer usage and employees' movements around the office.

Companies usually say their motives are innocent - but some cases have seen concerns raised that these tools could be used to spy on employees.

For example in 2016, the Telegraph newspaper withdrew devices that monitored when people were at their desks after the National Union of Journalists accused it of "Big Brother-style surveillance". The company said the sensors were installed to find out which desks were occupied and improve the office's energy efficiency.

Amazon has also faced scrutiny over how its warehouse workers are monitored.

A BBC investigation in 2013 found scanners in the company's Swansea warehouse were tracking the rate employees collected orders. An undercover worker was told he could face disciplinary action if he did not work fast enough.

And in 2018 it was revealed the company had patented designs for a wristband that could track where warehouse employees were placing their hands. Amazon said the idea, if implemented, would be to help track products and free up employees hands from scanners.


What are the rules?


Personal data - information about someone who is identified - is protected under the Data Protection Act.

The act says the data should be used fairly, lawfully and transparently. It should be for a specified purpose and should not be kept for longer than necessary.

Before monitoring of employees starts, employers should ensure staff are aware, guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) says. Staff should be told the reasons and how the information collected could be used.

The ICO also advises employers to consider the potential negative effects on staff and whether there are less intrusive alternatives.

Employment lawyer Max Winthrop says transparency is key. If an employer is using data gathered from monitoring workers - for example to find out how productive they are - as the basis for disciplinary action, this should be in the employees' contracts.

However, he says employees cannot necessarily expect the same level of privacy in the workplace, for example when using a work computer, as outside of work.


What do workers think of surveillance?


Trade union body the TUC has warned that things like monitoring toilet breaks and tracking workers' movements creates "fear and distrust".

It says any monitoring should be agreed with employees, not imposed upon them.

A 2018 survey by the TUC of more than 2,000 people found attitudes to workplace surveillance depended on its nature.

For example, tracking the location of company property, such as vehicles, laptops and phones was considered unacceptable by fewer than a quarter of those surveyed.

But the use of facial recognition software and monitoring social media use outside working hours was considered unacceptable by about three-quarters of employees.

The union says surveillance can sometimes have benefits for employees. For example, tracking the location of staff can give them greater security and recording of calls can give staff protection against customer complaints.

However, Edward Houghton, head of research at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, says surveillance technology can "cause more harm than good" as employees may feel they are not trusted to do their work effectively.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×