Numpty employer "loses" my file

[MoJocvh]

OK Sorry to post this BUT
I've just had an E-mail from my "boss" of 2 months telling me that he's "lost" my personal file "at home" and that he's had it in his briefcase for "months"
Now I have been negotiating my contract and am somewhat peeved that my details could be lost in a number of insecure places.
My question is basically how are employers supposed to keep this type of information confidential.
Thanks. MoJo.

[kevinday]

Yes, they are. The latest update of the Data Protection Act covers paper files as well as electronic files. A company that maintains a database of personal information must take all reasonable action to keep them secure. In this case your boss has obviously not done so. Maybe you could use this point to leverage a better deal?

[beano1197]

www.dataprotection.gov.uk/principl.htm

Some useful information on the gov site, including these principles. I would suggest that your employer most probably should be registered and that the Registrar might be interested in any trends which occur such that they are unable to keep data secure.

>> Edited by beano1197 on Wednesday 20th November 09:39

[apache]

It is illegal for an employer to have employee details at home or on a non work PC...this happened to a friend of mine at Nortel

[Size Nine Elm]

beano1197 said: www.dataprotection.gov.uk/principl.htm

Some useful information on the gov site, including these principles. I would suggest that your employer most probably should be registered and that the Registrar might be interested in any trends which occur such that they are unable to keep data secure.

>> Edited by beano1197 on Wednesday 20th November 09:39

You don't need to be DPR registered for 'normal' business records, including personnel files. BUT they should be kept securely and only available to those with a requirement to use them.

See www.dpr.gov.uk/downloads/selfassess.doc for exemption conditions.

[beano1197]

Yes, good point Size Nine - I suppose I work in a heavily regulated (Financial Services )world and think everyone else should have to!

[williamp]

Am I right in thinking that we can ask for all information held about us, at any time, by any organisation???

[beano1197]

Yup!

They are within their rights to request an admin charge (up to) £10.

"Subject Data Access Request" - isn't life "marvellous"!

[vtecsilver]

From another experience - I'd recommend you get a copy or details from your Human Resources records before your company gets swallowed up by a competitor. I tried to get a copy of an earlier contract of employment only to be told that the division I worked in had maintained their own records - and I'd need to contact their HR people to find out where the records were stored. Great - seeing as by then all the HR people had since been made redundant and moved on. I gave up trying to find someone who could help, but luckily didn't end up needing a copy.