Just got into work today to find that work has fitted CCTV camera's in every office.

It points directly at us and to be honest, I'm really p*ssed off !

The boss has said it's for monitoring access points but it is a fish eye lens and the picture covers all of us + some peoples screens.

Is he even allowed to do this? I've been told he isn't. We had no notice of this.

It's a tricky situation as we are a small company and he is liable to sack people if they complain !!

Any advice appreciated.

ye get off EF and do some work, your boss is watching.

Just smile and say "Hi, enjoy, this is Candid Camera".

In less than a week you are going to get used to that. No one is going to be watching the cams as a TV Program.

Find and watch the best porn there is. Once you think everyone watching is busy with their trousers round their ankles, go home.

Sorry, was busy researching ... where was I. Oh yes. Ask to see the output from the cameras.

Some more good advice for you.

Wear one of these, you'll get away with anything.

Now we have just been asked to sign a consent form to say we agree to being recorded on video all day.

Any ideas what the legal implications would be if I refuse to sign it?

No more "funny" comments please...

Probably 2 or 3 months notice

What is the reason for installing the cameras?

Is cash handled?
Is the place open to the general public?
Is the firm doing a Time and Motion Study?

Must be a REASON? At least there should be a reason?

For instance, a jewellery shop will have CCTV.

It may or may not be legal - as you describe it possibly not.

In a nutshell, CCTV systems to watch sensitive places (entrance, parking lot, warehouse, etc.) are allowed, but cameras have to be pointed so that employees are only intermittently on-camera. You certainly can't have it just pointing at someone's desk all day.

More info here (in German, sorry):
http://www.edoeb.admin.ch/themen/007...x.html?lang=de

I am sorry, but as you know, it is easy to be sacked here. Better to shut up and look for a better job.

It is illegal, but it is on private property and you have to agree to it or find yourself unemployed.

AND he is probably copying your computer monitor and E-Mails, so just do the work and go home.

Unless he has your written consent to use these cameras, he can't use them as 'evidence' to sack anyone. But as to whether they are legal, depends on the nature of your work, your workspace and industry standards. This said it sounds like bad feng shui for the workers and big brother as a manager.

A lot of this would depend on the solidarity of your co-workers. If everyone bucked up and refused to sign, your boss would be in a difficult position.

Then again I'm biased: I used to manage a CCTV department in a grand casino here.

You don't need 'evidence' to sack somebody here.

The Swiss do not like confrontation and will avoid it usualy and in same respect they don't like to rock the boat, prefering to keep things as they are, if it works. However once a decision has been made or you push them too far, they will retaliate. Whilst it may sound unfair, although we do not know why the CCTV has been installed, not what the company does, the outcome will be accept it or move on, now or in a while. It may not be legal, but there is more than one way to skin a cat.

Hi
Probably illegal but if you say anything you'll be sacked quite quickly. So it is better to focus your energy into finding a better job.
I am in a similar situation with a company employing staff illegally (no permission to work in CH).

Are you represented by a employee organisation? (they aren't called unions here). If so, you could quietly blow the whistle.

Either contact your "union", or otherwise go to your kantonal office and ask for the "Arbeitsamt". Or escalate as far as SECO. They conduct inspections if there is dodgynessnessness going on in the workplace.

NEVER blow the whistle in Switzerland. This can only lead you to troubles, basically you will get sacked and find it very difficult to find another job. It might ruin your life.

And that attitude is exactly why they can get away with it. Its a job and will not ruin anybodies live.

Anyways;
I had Cameras all over work (bar) to prevent theft and fights . you get used to it but I wouldnt want it in my office.

You can do it anonymously.

Thanks for the comments guys....

No-one is signing the consent form but it looks like there are deeper issues TBH as we have not been paid.

Time to look for another job I think.

Anybody can report misdeads anonymously at the consumer magazine Beobachter.

http://www.beobachter.ch/dossiers/whistleblowing/