NFC passcards in a workplace

snarloas1982 · 25 Jun 2016 at 13:36

Hi Guys,

In my workplace we use NFC pass cards for clocking and also getting to secure areas. As some people have lost the cards my company has decided to charge £10 per replacement. Is this legal? Can this be reclaimed? Surely if nobody signed this in a contract they shouldn't have to pay for a company provided service?

Lumeycom · 25 Jun 2016 at 13:42

but they are not paying for a company provided service because they were provided it? Not the companies fault 'some people' have been careless and lost their cards, why on earth should the company fund 'some peoples' negligence?

On Holiday · 25 Jun 2016 at 13:43

Don't lose them..

Sparx · 25 Jun 2016 at 13:56

Of course they can, it's negligence on the employee's behalf. It's also a reasonable fee, why should your employer keep covering the cost of negligent employees?

At my old place we used to have fobs to get in/out, if anyone lost theirs it cost £7 to replace. It's an incentive to not be so careless with things.

No one complained, it was very rare it happened as everyone put them on their car key chain, it was hard to lose.

muon · 25 Jun 2016 at 13:56

Is there nothing about company property in your contract?

snarloas1982 · 25 Jun 2016 at 14:04

Yes there will be something about company property now that you mention it. My boss actually controls the cards but I get it in the ear when I go through departments because they now get charged. Thanks for the answers guys, I now know what happens in other companies. We do also have fobs for some people but as we clock in and out swipe cards are also required. They seem to be the ones people loose.

Raumarik · 25 Jun 2016 at 14:05

Fairly standard practice for these, it's partly to prevent loss as these cards are about security access, if they're replaced free of charge people stop reporting them missing, using friends cards etc and before you know it security at your place of work is compromised. The financial cost to the company isn't that great but it can be if randoms can start walking in and out due to staff not caring.

Bottom line is that it's a key, you lose a key that's a big deal, they could easily treat it down the disciplinary route instead each time.

snarloas1982 · 25 Jun 2016 at 14:10

Does anyone use fingerprint scanners for door access and if so is it more expensive to implement?

Freefaller · 25 Jun 2016 at 14:22

It's happened in other companies I've worked at as it is seen as negligence. Soon made people more careful.

Hades · 25 Jun 2016 at 14:24

They are replaced free of charge at my place (large blue chip company). But when I was first issued one they wouldn't provide a card holder and lanyard. The reason was to save money. When I got my third replacement in two months they handed me a holder and lanyard with it

Dis86 · 25 Jun 2016 at 15:03

Fiver at my place for a replacement if lost.

PooKer · 25 Jun 2016 at 15:14

£15 at mine. The on card has 3 chips on. One for door access, another for followme printing and then another one for buying lunch. Also has your name and picture printed on so acts as company ID card.

But hey if someone loses a 64gb Iphone 6. No worries mate. We'll just replace it and tell you not to do it again.

Tute · 25 Jun 2016 at 15:24

Iirc my uni used to give you one replacement and then start charging.

I managed to keep my original all the way to graduation. My girlfriend on the other hand, I think she went through a dozen. With that and late library fees she had to find something like £400 just to graduate. :eek:

bledd · 25 Jun 2016 at 15:26

Although the technology is cheap, quite often a system that you use will charge a premium for 'their' cards. And only their cards will work. An extra security measure.

Just don't lose them..

dink · 25 Jun 2016 at 16:02

Similar with our access cards at work, although you only have to pay £10 for a replacement if you've lost it a ludicrous amount of times.

Pawnless Endgame · 25 Jun 2016 at 16:34

snarloas1982 said:
Hi Guys,

In my workplace we use NFC pass cards for clocking and also getting to secure areas. As some people have been loosing the cards my company has decided to charge £10 per replacement. Is this legal? Can this be reclaimed? Surely if nobody signed this in a contract they shouldn't have to pay for a company provided service?

You should be paying a £10 fine for using the word 'loosing' alone

Caged · 25 Jun 2016 at 16:53

Surely it costs more to take and process the payment than the card and time to program is worth?

asim18 · 25 Jun 2016 at 17:05

brb while I "loose" my work laptop. I've always wanted to "loose" my stapler too.

Akagi · 25 Jun 2016 at 17:10

We charge £5 for a lost card at work.

snarloas1982 · 25 Jun 2016 at 17:21

PooKer said:
£15 at mine. The on card has 3 chips on. One for door access, another for followme printing and then another one for buying lunch. Also has your name and picture printed on so acts as company ID card.

But hey if someone loses a 64gb Iphone 6. No worries mate. We'll just replace it and tell you not to do it again.

Sounds like we work in the same place.