February 2012
Putting lawyers in touch with the youth of Oldham
Pearson Hinchliffe partner, Michael Pitt, takes over as 2012 Oldham Law Association President.
MoreBig Brother In the Workplace
14th October 2008
Imagine the scene. You fire up your computer first thing in the morning and in place of your normal desktop you have a message telling you to report to the boss immediately.
He or she informs you that yesterday your body temperature, blood pressure and heart rate were a bit high. You did less work and made more mistakes than usual. That could have been because you had picked up a virus – or perhaps it was because you were trying to cover up that you spent an hour of work time booking your summer holiday on the web.
This isn’t so fanciful as it seems. The technology to monitor all these things currently exists. And now Microsoft has filed a patent application for a system that links workers to their computers through wireless sensors that measure their metabolism and even their facial expressions.
The system would work not only through desktop or laptop computers, but also through mobile telephones or hand-held personal computers. Workers could therefore be monitored even when out of the office.
Of course, the system could have important benefits for employer and employee alike. Most obviously, the workplace could be made more efficient by ensuring that workers under stress in a particular job are moved to other work or sent help.
But the system could also sour industrial relations by undermining trust between employers and employees.
Similar monitoring technology is already used for workers – such as astronauts and fighter pilots – who must perform under exceptional pressure. But the Microsoft technology would make it into a routine system of management and control in the “normal” office environment.
Because of this, the system would almost certainly be illegal under the Data Protection Act. This legislation lays down that the information must be: used only for specified purposes; adequate, relevant and not excessive; and processed in line with the rights of the individual.
Most obviously, the individual’s right to privacy could be undermined by the new technology.
Big Brother may already be watching us as we go about many of our routine tasks. But the computerised “spy” in the office is likely to prove a step too far.
Click here to speak to a specialist employment lawyer
Notes to Editors
Pearson Hinchliffe Commercial Law is a commercial law practice providing a range of legal services to business and commercial clients in Manchester, Oldham and across the North West. The firm's specialities include Company & Commercial, Employment Law, Commercial Litigation and Commercial Property matters.
As one of the leading law firms in the North of England, Pearson Hinchliffe’s mission is to be ‘the complete law firm’ providing the highest quality legal services to its clients. It does this by offering practical and cost effective, high quality legal advice for a wide range of clients. Each client is catered for as an individual with their business and personal requirements taken into account which allows for a highly personalised service.
For more information on this article or Pearson Hinchliffe Commercial Law, please contact a member of the marketing communications team on +44 (0)161 785 3500 or email muhammed.shaikh@pearson-hinchliffe.co.uk
January 2012
Company and commercial law reforms to reduce red tape
Companies of all shapes and sizes have been asked for their views on how to tackle unnecessary bureaucracy in company and commercial law.
MoreJanuary 2012
Increase in unfair dismissal qualifying period will apply only to new employees
From 6 April 2012 the qualifying period of service for making a claim increases from one to two years.
MoreJanuary 2012
Maximum compensation for unfair dismissal increases from 1 February 2012
Annual revision of employment tribunal award limits and other amounts payable under employment legislation.
MoreDecember 2011
Health and safety laws to be cut by half
Government plans to slash health and safety red tape will mean substantial savings for small firms, business groups have said.
MoreNovember 2011
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MoreSeptember 2011
How to Conduct a Disciplinary Hearing
A recent presentation by Employment solicitor, Susan Mayall, setting out the stages for handling a disciplinary, referencing the ACAS Code of Conduct.
June 2011
ACAS Advice leaflet “Holidays and Holiday Pay”
Download the guidance covering arrangements for holidays and holiday pay.
October 2010
Recent Case Study: Commercial Landlord and Tenant - An Authorised Guarantee Agreement
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Recent Case Study: Doing Battle in the Boardroom
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May 2010
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March 2010
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February 2010
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On 3 February 2010 Corporate Commercial partner Roger Hinchliffe delivered a presentation entitled, ‘Joint Ventures’ to the Oldham Construction Sector group.
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