Understanding UK CCTV laws in the workplace

Here, the experts at Stonewall Security take a closer look at what obligations an employer has and what rights employees have when it comes to CCTV. 

Why use CCTV in the workplace?

There are many reasons why businesses might introduce CCTV in the workplace, including:

• Security and crime prevention: The presence of CCTV cameras can help deter potential criminals, which in turn reduces the likelihood of theft, vandalism, and other crimes. Furthermore, continuous monitoring helps with the early detection of any suspicious activity, which can lead to swift intervention. Should an incident happen on-site, having CCTV might help to provide crucial evidence for the police.
• Peace of mind for employees and safety in the workplace: Having CCTV in place can help to ensure safety protocols are followed, which in turn, can reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. This will help provide employees with additional peace of mind that their safety is being prioritised.
• Remote, round-the-clock monitoring: Especially for businesses with multiple locations, CCTV enables centralised monitoring, remotely. Better still, this boosts security by allowing business owners to monitor their premises outside of working hours.
• Insurance benefits: Some insurance companies offer better insurance deals to businesses if they have security systems – including CCTV – in place, as they pose a lower risk of claims related to theft or damage.

What are the CCTV rules for businesses?

In the mid-1990s, the number of people — including businesses — using CCTV increased dramatically. This led to the government and public authorities taking a more active role in regulations surrounding video surveillance:

The Human Rights Act (HRA) of 1998

The Human Rights Act (HRA) of 1998 is fundamental to the legislation that governs the use of CCTV in the UK. Article 8 of the HRA outlines a person’s right to privacy, and that extends to public spaces and the workplace, not only to their private home.

Having CCTV in the workplace can constitute a breach of this right if there is no legitimate security or business purpose.

The Protection of Freedoms Act (POFA) of 2012

Despite this primarily concerning CCTV in public spaces, it’s worth noting POFA. This emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability in the use of CCTV. It introduced the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice, which outlines 12 guiding principles for CCTV usage. These principles include the necessity of surveillance, transparency, and accountability.

The Data Protection Act (DPA) of 2018

This details the status of CCTV footage and outlines requirements for the collection, processing and disclosure of CCTV data. 

How should businesses comply?

Notification and transparency

Employers must inform employees about the presence of CCTV cameras and their purposes. This can be done via clear signage and internal communication, like emails.

Data subject rights

The GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) includes several requirements regarding how personal information is stored and processed. The GDPR also clarifies that CCTV is personal information, which means that – as data subjects – employees have the right to access data collected about them. If an employee requests access to data, employers must respond within three months.

Storage

Employers must also store CCTV footage securely (and protected against unauthorised access) and will typically only hold it for a maximum of 30 days unless it’s required for an ongoing investigation.

Note, access to CCTV footage should be limited to authorised personnel only.

Regular assessments

Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) should be regularly conducted to help employers assess the necessity of their CCTV systems. This should consider the scope of surveillance, the potential impact on employees and any measures that should be taken to mitigate privacy risks.

Do you want to boost security in your workplace?

If you’re thinking about introducing CCTV at your business then get in touch with Stonewall Security. We are your one-stop shop for CCTV, creating bespoke surveillance solutions for businesses across the Midlands and the UK.

We also offer a reliable and trustworthy CCTV monitoring service, providing employers with round-the-clock peace of mind, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Find out more about our CCTV packages and all of the services we provide here at Stonewall Security. Contact ustoday.