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

[Wicksta]

Wow, your employer has done himself a favour really if you are really going to leave over something like this. I certainly wouldn't want you working for me.

 

["andy"]

do you wear gloves when you go for a takeaway?

 

[jamief]

I find that nigh on impossible to comprehend. It's just..so petty.

It isn't petty, its idiotic.

His employer holds a lot of his personal and financial details. Yet, he is prepared to walk away from the job because they want to store "biometric data", which in effect is a series of numbers correlating to feature points on his fingerprint!

 

[Dave M]

His employer holds a lot of his personal and financial details. Yet, he is prepared to walk away from the job because they want to store "biometric data", which in effect is a series of numbers correlating to feature points on his fingerprint!

But the Sun told him "biometric data" was dangerous, he doesn't need to know why or understand how it works, he's just going to hate it.

Stick it to the man!

 

[Dano]

Dano, please put your rolleyes away. It really isn't doing you any favours.

Like it'll make any difference...

A biometric record for a fingerprint is a sequence of numbers that represent key features of your fingerprint. It is not a photograph, and it cannot be 'reverse-engineered' to make a fingerprint.

No, but it could be used to fake the data required, anyway that's getting off topic, as I have already stated (again) it is the fact that such measures are required for such a petty task.

If you're worried about identity theft, then you have a big problem. Your employer holds your name, address, date of birth, possibly your phone number, NI number, bank account details. That's a wet dream for a criminal wanting to steal your identity - everything that matters about you in one neat package. Your fingerprint doesn't even come close to making an iota of difference to a criminal armed with that lot.

No, I'm concerned that my biometric data is required for such a petty reason.

My advice: Quit being paranoid or leave. That's the sum total of your options (unless of course you've got a friendly Union rep who can hold a strike ballot on your behalf).

Ah, first actual response to my opening post.

Good luck finding an employer who won't store enough data to steal your identity. Oh and don't bother claiming JSA either - they hold all the same data.

Again, not bothered by it in the correct circumstances and useage, this is not one of those in my opinion.

PS - I've had my credit cards cloned three times now. You'd expect me to be the sort of person to get paranoid. I don't - it's a fact of modern-day life.

Agreed.

Edit - forgot to say - as long as your employer complies with the DPA they can gather and use whatever data the law deems reasonable (and that would include biometric fingerprint data). You have no say in this matter.

So it falls under the DPA? righto, off to have a look.

How can you clock on without giving any piece of personal information?

Again, I have no issue with giving personal information, I take issue with being required to give fingerprint data to simply clock on when a pin number or swipe card should be more than adequate.

Dude its a recession, you wont get a job if you quit.

Already have one lined up.

Anywho identity fraud has nothing to do with biometrics.

Agreed with the proviso of 'yet'.

 

[WalesOwl]

yet? Is your PIN number engraved into your finger?

 

[V4NT0M]

Again, I have no issue with giving personal information, I take issue with being required to give fingerprint data to simply clock on when a pin number or swipe card should be more than adequate

Why is 'fingerprint data' different to any of your other personal information?

 

[Basher]

...yes I will walk away from the job if I cannot deny them it.

You'd quit your job, in times like these over something so stupidly petty!? With a mind like that they're probably better off without you.

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

I think you need to read up on how the systems work.

You seem to have a fundamental lack of understanding of the technology, which has warped your views on this.

If you are worried, let your company know, and I am sure they will accommodate you and arrange for some optional education for you and your fellow staff.

You are worried so, your employer should listen to your concerns!

 

[neil3k]

haha awesomes

 

[Dano]

Why is 'fingerprint data' different to any of your other personal information?

Again, going off topic to be honest, we could be having the same discussion over DNA sampling in a few years time, I just do not think it reasonable to insist upon fingerprint data for clocking on or off reasons.

You'd quit your job, in times like these over something so stupidly petty!? With a mind like that they're probably better off without you.

As already stated, I have another job lined up.

I think you need to read up on how the systems work.

Wont make any difference to my feeling that it is going to far for the system they intend to use it for.

You seem to have a fundamental lack of understanding of the technology, which has warped your views on this.

No, I have a lack of trust in technological security as history has repeatedly shown that what is deemed uncrackable or unachievable in the past is in fact anything but.

If you are worried, let your company know, and I am sure they will accommodate you and arrange for some optional education for you and your fellow staff.

You are worried so, your employer should listen to your concerns!

Possibly, it will be raised when I next speak to my manager.

 

[Rich_L]

You must be a barrel of laughs at work

"Hey, can you sponsor me for something, just put the amount and sign there"

"F.O. you might take my signature and steal my ID"

"Oookkkkk" *backs away slowly*

 

[Dolph]

While I don't necessarily agree with the OP, I admire him for his stance if he does indeed leave over this issue. If more people were willing to deprive their employer of talent for stupid decisions, the relationship between companies and staff would improve no end.

 

[Berserker]

OK then, I'll make things crystal clear for you.

Your employer wants you formally to clock in and clock out. Is that a problem for you? Yes/No

Your employer wants to use biometric data. Is that a problem for you? Yes/No

The two questions are independant. One does not follow from the other. What you think an employer can do with biometric data is beyond your control and therefore utterly irrelevant - so you either have a problem with them having the data at all, or you don't.

If the answer to either of the above is Yes, you have three options:

• Find out your formal grievance procedure and complain. Your call as to whether you do this or not, but in all likelihood you're wasting your time (unless a significant number of fellow employees agree with you).
• Suck it up.
• Leave.

Personally, I think you've already decided on option 3, so you'd be better using your time to write that resignation letter rather than ranting about it on an internet forum.

PS - I happen to agree with Dolph too. If you're determined you won't accept it no matter what, then stand your ground and say so. No point staying in a job as a disgruntled employee - that does no-one any favours.

 

[Rich_L]

While I don't necessarily agree with the OP, I admire him for his stance if he does indeed leave over this issue. If more people were willing to deprive their employer of talent for stupid decisions, the relationship between companies and staff would improve no end.

True, if only principles paid the bills and put food on the table though

 

[Energize]

Wow 4 pages and almost no useful replies, just fallacies comparing bank details to biometric data lol, considering how long you've been with the company I can't see you having any choice unfortunately.

 

[Dano]

While I don't necessarily agree with the OP, I admire him for his stance if he does indeed leave over this issue. If more people were willing to deprive their employer of talent for stupid decisions, the relationship between companies and staff would improve no end.

OK then, I'll make things crystal clear for you.

Your employer wants you formally to clock in and clock out. Is that a problem for you? Yes/No

No.

Your employer wants to use biometric data. Is that a problem for you? Yes/No

Yes, in the case for clocking on and out, it's a minor issue of work time keeping that does not and should not require such data, if I was asked for the same data for access to the safe I could see how more stringent security measures and as such personal data would be warranted.

The two questions are independant.

No, in this case they are not, I am being specifically asked to supply biometric data for the specific task of clocking on and clocking off.

One does not follow from the other. What you think an employer can do with biometric data is beyond your control and therefore utterly irrelevant - so you either have a problem with them having the data at all, or you don't.

Wrong, the question does follow as it is part and parcel of the issue at hand, the world is not black and white and as already stated I am unwilling to allow them to have the data for such a petty reason.

If the answer to either of the above is Yes, you have three options:

• Find out your formal grievance procedure and complain. Your call as to whether you do this or not, but in all likelihood you're wasting your time (unless a significant number of fellow employees agree with you).
• Suck it up.
• Leave.

Personally, I think you've already decided on option 3, so you'd be better using your time to write that resignation letter rather than ranting about it on an internet forum.

Ranting? lol. I came here to ask, and I quote:

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

Hardly ranting, I've attempted to answer relevant questions when asked and have explained my stance several times, all I wanted to know was whether I had any grounds for refusing to comply with the request or if I was in the situation where my only option is to resign.

PS - I happen to agree with Dolph too. If you're determined you won't accept it no matter what, then stand your ground and say so. No point staying in a job as a disgruntled employee - that does no-one any favours.

Of course.

 

[Berserker]

Wrong, the question does follow as it is part and parcel of the issue at hand, the world is not black and white and as already stated I am unwilling to allow them to have the data for such a petty reason.

Only in your view is it petty. It clearly is not in your employer's. You cannot choose to give an employer a piece of data and then dictate terms for its use - unless of course you have legal grounds for that, or have the option to write a fair use exception into your contract of employment, which I very much doubt you do. Therefore my statement is correct - you either have a problem with them having the data at all, or you don't, because there is no other option.

Ranting? lol. I came here to ask, and I quote:

Your OP wasn't ranting. Subsequent responses, however (e.g. your over-use of rolleyes), were at least borderline.

 

[Dano]

Only in your view is it petty. It clearly is not in your employer's.

Of course it's only in my view, why else would we be here discussing it?

You cannot choose to give an employer a piece of data and then dictate terms for its use - unless of course you have legal grounds for that,

and again we are back to my original post.

or have the option to write a fair use exception into your contract of employment, which I very much doubt you do.

Anybody has the right to amend their contract before signing it, whether the employer accepts it is another matter.

Therefore my statement is correct - you either have a problem with them having the data at all, or you don't, because there is no other option.

Again, no.

Your OP wasn't ranting. Subsequent responses, however (e.g. your over-use of rolleyes), were at least borderline.

I used them in response to clear posts where the person posting had made little effort to read what had gone before, nothing to do with ranting whatsoever.

 

[V4NT0M]