CBI slams draft 'monitoring' code
The Confederation of British Industry says the 62-page Data Protection Commission draft code of practice is too long, too complicated and unworkable, and has renewed its plea for changes to be made.
The organisation focused criticism on the additions made to the draft code saying they came just a year after significant changes were made to the Data Protection Act, which came into force earlier this year as a means of easing the concerns of business.
The CBI response to the proposed code of conduct focused on areas of employee monitoring including emails and telephone calls, as well as issues of recruitment and maintenance of records.
It recommended the code of conduct should force employers to inform staff of the company monitoring policy; allow companies to question candidates on honesty; and be given time to verify candidates’ skills and experience. In addition companies should be able to decide how long they wish to retain information.
CBI head of legal affairs Rod Armitage said it should be the responsibility of businesses to decide the degree of monitoring and added: ‘It is vital that we get this code of practice right.’
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