* Go to main content * Go to main navigation * Go to site map, help, search * Go to register, log in * Go to footer navigation Business Link Practical advice for business Your account * Register now * Log in Home > Employing people > Setting the rules > Monitoring and security of staff Monitoring and security of staff When an employer is allowed to monitor staff Monitoring usually results in the collection of personal information, which means the Data Protection Act 1998 will apply. The Act requires organisations to ensure that monitoring is appropriate to a particular problem or objective. Monitoring is permitted, but any adverse impact of monitoring on employees must be justified by the benefits to the employer. To decide whether monitoring is justified, you should undertake an impact assessment that: * clearly identifies the purpose(s) behind monitoring and the benefits of monitoring versus any alternatives * assesses the benefits of monitoring against any adverse impact on staff, eg intrusion into workers' private lives, or the oppressive effect of monitoring * identifies whether confidential information will become known to others in the workforce as a result * considers how to be fair to workers * considers how to ensure that any intrusion is kept to a minimum * considers how to ensure that significant intrusion into workers' private lives will be justified * assesses the results of consultation with trade unions, representatives or workers * considers the obligations that arise from monitoring such as setting up new processes to ensure records are secure * considers how to ensure compliance with the law Improper monitoring can lead you to break laws including the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Data Protection Act. It is a core principle of the Data Protection Act that workers should be aware of the nature, extent and reasons for any monitoring. If you are monitoring employees to enforce your business rules and standards these should be set out in a policy that also refers to the nature and extent of associated monitoring. Only in rare cases is covert monitoring justified. Businesses intending to use monitoring techniques to collect information about workers must explain to staff how and why they monitor. This creates awareness, prevents monitoring misuse and reduces uncertainty. * Prev * Next Subjects covered in this guide * Introduction * Why you might monitor your staff and what monitoring includes * When an employer is allowed to monitor staff * Set up monitoring policies * The right ways to monitor your staff * The laws and penalties for improper monitoring * Issues to consider when monitoring staff * Staff security - your responsibilities as an employer Print options - What are my print options - Opens in a new window Print guide now - Opens in a new window Add guide to my print portfolio (print later as PDF) Email options - What are my email options - Opens in a new window * Tell a friend about this page * Send me an email alert when this guide changes Acas Helpline 08457 47 47 47 ICO Data Protection Helpline 08456 30 60 60 Actions * Download Employment Practices Code guidance from the ICO website (PDF, 1.77MB) - Opens in a new window * Download a framework code of practice on information sharing from the ICO website (PDF, 230K) - Opens in a new window * Internet and email policies (PDF, 77K) - Opens in a new window * Use our interactive tool to find out whether you need to notify the Information Commissioner about the data your business holds * View local and national events linked to this topic Also on this site * Introduce an internet and email policy * Set up employment policies for your business * Comply with data protection legislation * Ensuring your workers are eligible to work in the UK This guide developed with: Department for Business, Innovation & Skills - Opens in a new window Feedback | Copyright | Terms & conditions | Privacy policy | Accessibility | Help with PDF files Local Business Link[Local Business Link.] Go | Site map | Help | About us Search ________________ Go My Business What's new? Do it online Directories Home Employing people Setting the rules Monitoring and security of staff Introduction Why you might monitor your staff and what monitoring includes Current section When an employer is allowed to monitor staff Set up monitoring policies The right ways to monitor your staff The laws and penalties for improper monitoring Issues to consider when monitoring staff Staff security - your responsibilities as an employer Starting up Finance and grants Taxes, returns & payroll Health, safety, premises Environment & efficiency Exploit your ideas IT & e-commerce Sales and marketing International trade Grow your business Buy or sell a business For professional advisers Your business sector