Biometric Technology Makes Its Mark with Employers

Written by PayPerShop.com - Filed under: Press Releases on June 10th, 2008

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Croner urges employers to prevent accusations of ‘Big Brother’ when bringing new security technologies to the workplace

London, June 9 2008 – Employers are being warned to tread carefully and follow the letter of the law when introducing biometric technology into the workplace if they are to avoid accusations that Big Brother’s shadow is falling over their staff, by HR experts Croner, part of Wolters Kluwer UK.

It may sound like something from a science fiction novel, but technology that records unique personal data is increasingly being used by employers to combat security breaches in the workplace. As developments in the field of biometrics have become more readily available, employers are using them to protect against the loss of confidential information.

Biometric technologies can identify individual people by measuring an aspect of their anatomy or physiology through, for example, automatic fingerprint identification or iris and retina scanning. The data captured from biometric technology systems is then converted into a biometric template against which the part of the body is compared when it is scanned.

Croner has already seen some of its customers introduce biometric systems and is now advising others wishing to do so that they need to be aware of the potential issues and act accordingly.

Gillian Dowling, employment consultant with Croner, says: “When introducing these kinds of systems to the workplace, employers must be mindful of the Data Protection Act. Alongside the need to follow the requirements of legislation there is the issue of acting in a responsible way to communicate clearly to all employees why their biometric data is being used in this way.”

The possible uses of the technology are wide-reaching and in addition to protecting sensitive information, include controlling access to buildings and clocking-in systems. With this in mind there is a need to communicate sensitively to all employees what the new technology means day-to-day.

Biometric systems are becoming increasingly popular. The UK Border Agency recently announced the use of fingerprint checks on all visa applicants. So far 10,000 visa applicants have been identified that had previously been fingerprinted in connection with UK immigration or asylum cases. Some schools have introduced automated fingerprint testing systems into libraries for the loan of books and for cashless catering.

Gillian continues: “Advances in technology mean that this is now a realistic means of protecting property, data and personnel for employers and is no longer the exclusive preserve of high-security areas. Although it may sound futuristic, if the introduction is handled properly the benefits can be seen at all levels of an organisation in improved efficiency and security.”

Croner’s advice to employers wanting to introduce biometric measures in the workplace is:

When introducing a new system using biometric technology, employees need to be informed of the reasons for the introduction of the system, how the system works and the benefits to the employer and the staff.

It is good practice for the employer to hold meetings with staff to demonstrate how the new technology will work and to answer employees’ questions concerning the operation of the system.

Employers may wish to trial a system before implementing it throughout the business.

Employers need to consider the impact of the Data Protection Act 1998. Employees will need to be reassured that their personal data (such as their fingerprints) will only be used for the purposes specified by the employer and that the information will be kept secure.

Employers need to ensure that there are high standards of security in place to protect the information from being used for unlawful reasons or for any reasons which have not been communicated to the employees.

The information also has to be protected from accidental loss, destruction or damage.

Employers need to ensure that the biometric data is destroyed when it is no longer needed.

About Croner
Croner, part of Wolters Kluwer (UK) Limited, is a leading provider of legal guidance and best practice advice and support in the critical areas of; human resources; health and safety; education and healthcare; environmental management; manufacturing and construction; and international trade and transport to both public and private organisations of all sizes and structures. For more information visit www.croner.co.uk.

About Wolters Kluwer
Wolters Kluwer is a leading global information services and publishing company. The company provides products and services globally for professionals in the health, tax, accounting, corporate, financial services, legal, and regulatory sectors. Wolters Kluwer has annual revenues (2007) of €3.4 billion, maintains operations in over 33 countries across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific and employs approximately 19,500 people worldwide. Wolters Kluwer is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Visit www.wolterskluwer.com for information about our market positions, customers, brands, and organisation.

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Filed under: Press Releases on June 10th, 2008