Question about CCTV at work

[Morfinel]

I'm having argument with my boss and not sure what the law is around CCTV

He placed some Belkin Wireless cameras around the office, this camera are not cctv just normal web cam that he access from home through internet. They can rotate, not sure if he has option to record, but he can listen to office staff. When I complained this is not CCTV he pointed out it does say in the handbook this are for security and to monitor staff and approved by Peninsula. No information was given to me if image and sound is recorded and stored, my understanding is if there is a CCTV it must be recorded and stored for up to 30 days? and CC stand for closed-circuit but he uses domestic broadband to access image.
Can anyone shed some light on the topic?

 

[Morfinel]

This is a quote from UK Gov website

Make sure the system is only used for the purpose it was intended for - for example, if it was set up to detect crime, you must not use it to monitor how much work your staff do

He is claiming its used for both, but how can you claim it's for security when image is not recorded. Not to mention there are no signs saying there is cctv in operation, when I pointed it out he ordered some on amazon straight away, I'm sure there must be a rules you need to follow when installing CCTV, and what you can and can't do. To me he just slapped few cameras around and called it a day. I don't think he even knows about ICO.

https://ico.org.uk/media/1542/cctv-code-of-practice.pdf

Thanks, will have a read.

 

[Morfinel]

How do you know that the image isn't recorded?

Cloud storage is common for wireless cameras. Or even sd cards inside them

It's my guess, he ordered them online but without any other storage solution, but I can ask.

 

[Morfinel]

If its not encrypted and within guidelines surely thats down to him, and a fine or whatever will fall on his head if found out.

What kind of workplace are we talking about here ?

One camera is in the office, one in break room, so if I'm on lunch and on a phone he can listen what I'm saying, and one in posting room, we have a warehouse but there are no cameras there.

 

[Morfinel]

We don't have security, only my boss have access to this cameras (I hope), and if we are having conversation in the office he will whatsapp telling us to stop.

Could you suggest that as a better alternative location as you may want to phone your GP whilst on your break and wouldn't want private medical information being recorded accidentally.

I did and he said it's facing the window for security reason it need to be there, when I mentioned it can record voice he just again mentioned you signed handbook and agreed to this. I have no problem with CCTV but when it's done by specialist not by him, I have no idea where and if its stored and who has access to it and when.

 

[Morfinel]

Wow, your boss sounds terrible!

Naa he is brilliant, he paid contractor over 70k (and still paying) to fix small size business website, this freelancer is on hour rate and whenever boss ask him to do something the replay is the same, it will take weeks to do. I'm not an expert but building website from scratch cost far less.