Employer is requiring biometric data for clocking on, can I refuse?

Dano · 13 May 2009 at 15:30

I have been with my current employer around 4 months in a part time capacity, apart from the usual niggles and stuff all has been good and I have completed my probationary period and have had a good review.

I have just today been informed by a collegue that from the 1st of June we will be required to clock on and off using a Biometric system.

Having just had a letter from them explaining that they have outsourced their data storage to India I was not particularly happy already, but there is no way I want them having my biometric data available to a company in India.

What grounds do I have for refusing this or am I in a situation where my only option is to hand in my notice?

Le_Petit_Lapin · 13 May 2009 at 15:32

Why do you care where your biometric "fingerprint" data goes?

Nix · 13 May 2009 at 15:32

Le_Petit_Lapin said:
Why do you care where your biometric "fingerprint" data goes?

*groans*

fini · 13 May 2009 at 15:33

Why do you care that it's going to a company in India? Under the DPA your company will still be responsible for making sure it's secure etc.

Heliospherez · 13 May 2009 at 15:33

What do they mean by Biometric ? Fingerprint/DNA/Iris/Face/Retina or all five ? Or maybe even voice analysis.

And it is really dependant on who your employer is and whether they have the rights to insist on this.

Also, question why it is being outsourced to India - surely it is only needed onsite and is relatively useless stored in India - or are they getting paid a fee for supplying the data to be used for something else. I know I wouldn't be too happy about it and I can't really see how the data protection act would be much good if the data was stored in some Data centre in Delhi.

Le_Petit_Lapin · 13 May 2009 at 15:34

Nix said:
*groans*

No, seriously, its not as if someone can do anything with it?

jamief · 13 May 2009 at 15:34

What data is it? Fingerprint, I'd assume? If so, what on Earth does it matter where it goes. Say, shock horror, the Indian company has a breach and someone gets hold of your fingerprint. What would you propose they could do with it?

And as for handing in your notice.. wtf?

RDM · 13 May 2009 at 15:37

You can refuse, however the consequences would probably involve you looking for work elsewhere...

Sash · 13 May 2009 at 15:37

jamief said:
What data is it? Fingerprint, I'd assume? If so, what on Earth does it matter where it goes. Say, shock horror, the Indian company has a breach and someone gets hold of your fingerprint. What would you propose they could do with it?

And as for handing in your notice.. wtf?

They could make a fingerprint out of it, stick it to a gun and frame him for murder!!

Raumarik · 13 May 2009 at 15:39

Seeing as your actualy personal data including address, DOB and bank account details can probably be accessed by the lowest paid workers in your company, personally I wouldn't be too worried about the biometric data.

Tefal · 13 May 2009 at 15:40

Sash said:
They could make a fingerprint out of it, stick it to a gun and frame him for murder!!

yeah and someone could cut of his finger and use it to pul la trigger and fram hi mfor muder! Quick cut off your fingers before they do!

edit: good god i need to get spell checker back

Dano · 13 May 2009 at 15:40

Le_Petit_Lapin said:
Why do you care where your biometric "fingerprint" data goes?

Because I do, you may enjoy having all your data stored by others, I do not.

fini said:
Why do you care that it's going to a company in India? Under the DPA your company will still be responsible for making sure it's secure etc.

And I don't trust them to do so, hense my asking.

divosuk said:
What do they mean by Biometric ? Fingerprint/DNA/Iris/Face/Retina or all five ? Or maybe even voice analysis.

Fingerprint is what I've been told.

And it is really dependant on who your employer is and whether they have the rights to insist on this.

How so?

Alos Question why it is being outsourced to India - surely it is only needed onsite and is relatively useless stored in India - or are they getting paid a fee for supplying the data to be used for something else.

No idea, have not had the opportunity to question my manager yet, but from what my collegue said the data is available offsite.

Knubje · 13 May 2009 at 15:41

Perhaps they want his biometric information so they can replicate his DNA and create clones. Enabling them to effectivley create a workforce and sack all the real workers.

I imagine a Star Wars: Attack of the Clones type of scenario going on

FirebarUK · 13 May 2009 at 15:42

I'm surprised they can get that past data protection laws (not that I've read the data protection act lately) - storing that kind of data within the EU should be easy, but storing it in India.... ?

hargi · 13 May 2009 at 15:42

Duinno if im wrong but isnt it against some act to hold this data outside the EU?

I know our backups have to be kept in the EU for the data protection act??

Le_Petit_Lapin · 13 May 2009 at 15:42

Dano said:
Because I do, you may enjoy having all your data stored by others, I do not.

Well its going to have to be stored somewhere, so what difference does it make if its stored in India or in the UK?

Out of interest, how do you clock on and off at present?

Dano · 13 May 2009 at 15:42

RDM said:
You can refuse, however the consequences would probably involve you looking for work elsewhere...

Yes, which would be why I asked the question... :rolleyes:

fini · 13 May 2009 at 15:42

Dano said:
And I don't trust them to do so, hense my asking.

You don't trust your company not to break the law? I'm not sure I'd want to work at a place where I had that little confidence in my employers :/

Cosimo · 13 May 2009 at 15:42

Dano said:
What grounds do I have for refusing this or am I in a situation where my only option is to hand in my notice?

That is your option, do you actually clock on at the right time, if so then what is the problem.

Dano · 13 May 2009 at 15:43

Le_Petit_Lapin said:
Well its going to have to be stored somewhere, so what difference does it make if its stored in India or in the UK?

Out of interest, how do you clock on and off at present?

India does not have to abide by the same laws as the UK.

We don't. I turn up for a shift and leave at the end of it, bearing in mind that the place already has 32 cctv cameras on 24/7 I feel that this step is just uneeded and over the top.