Anybody know about law regarding CCTV use by employers?

[Trackpug]

I work as a bus driver and have been working for this current company for about 5months (after quitting my last job to go on a euro roadtrip- but thats a different story!)
All the buses have CCTV recording constantly and they have just employed somebody to sit in the office full-time and watch footage of drivers watching for any mistakes. For example I was called into the office recently for a complete waste of time when they found that during my vehicle check one morning I forgot to check my rear foglight was working! It's driving me crazy!
My question is, is this legal?! To watch employees constantly like this? Its horrible having a camera pointed at you whilst scratching yourself 'intimately' at trafic lights for example

[Orb the Impaler]

I have a distinct feeling that it will be legal - in the same way that they can read your emails etc etc.

That's Great Britain for you, I'm afraid, mein herr. Ausweis bitte?

[Puggit]

It may be technically legal to use CCTV, but I'm certain the stress it's putting you under is not...

[Soovy]

Legal.

100%.


I'm afraid if you don't like it you'll have to find another job. It also protects you, in case of an incident.

Do your job to a good standard and you're fine!

[MonkeyHanger]

Trackpug said:

My question is, is this legal?! To watch employees constantly like this? Its horrible having a camera pointed at you whilst scratching yourself 'intimately' at trafic lights for example

How would you fancy working as a Contractor in a Prison or some MOD sites where not only are there cameras everywhere, but you're also under full-time Escort? I can assure you it's great fun asking someone you hardly know to take you to the toilet.

st happens in most jobs. You are not unique.

[Cmurder]

finally somebody else althought i dont need need an escort on the MOD sites due to clearance, but prisons! its a pain!

[Conian]

do lots of rave dancing everytime yuo are stopped and it is safe to

[Trackpug]

Thanks for the replies. Also, there are times when I'm VERY glad the CCTV is there, what angers me is the fact they are constantly monitoring it and not just using it for evidence when needed I.E. RTA's, Abusive Passengers.
As somebody said already, thats just Britain for you :/
Tom

[VegasRain]

When a hoodie starts punching you in the face because you asked him for £2 you'll be glad someone is on hand to act immediately

Freak the security guy out by staring intensley at the camera everytime you stop at the lights and mouth the words "I LOVE YOU". Randomly hold up signs saying "I CAN SEE YOU" or "I'M THINKING ABOUT YOU AGAIN"

[Trackpug]

LOL! GENIUS! I may actualy do that. I've done worse

[HOGEPH]

Take a picture of yourself smartly dressed and driving carefully, and then place it in front of the camera.

[dudleybloke]

i know a bus driver and he's glad to have the cameras there.

a woman phoned up his bosses and said he braked hard deliberatly when she was in the aisle causing her to get injured.
on the cctv it showed nothing happened and he was in the clear.

apparently its quite a common thing and saves the bus companys thousands in false compensation claims.

[Trackpug]

Yep it's pretty common, especially when I was working in London when I was VERY glad it was there. But, thats looking back at an alleged event for evidence which is what the CCTV should be there for, not trawling through hundreds of hours of footage looking for anything! It's a crazy waste of time!

[Dave_M]

Soovy said:

Legal.

100%.


I'm afraid if you don't like it you'll have to find another job. It also protects you, in case of an incident.

Do your job to a good standard and you're fine!

Agreed.

It doesn't feel very nice at first, but you should have known about it before taking the job.

There are many incidents imvolving false claims made about driver's actions, accidents (real or otherwise) and you may well be pleased for the cover one day