Can your employer plant secret video camras without informing anyone?

i honestly do not have anything to hide from my employer - infact im dangerously honest with everyone.
but it was a discussion that i was having with a member of staff. he said that they can put in CCTV without telling anyone. but i always thought that legally they had to tell you that you were being recorded - but didnt need to tell you where they were. can any one help with the correct answer?

He CAN NOT - I sell them for a living to businesses and they MUST put up a sign to inform the public or customers that the premises is using CCTV and it is now illegal to have covert cameras (hidden cameras) without being told they are there. I am in the UK.

im with you on that one, thought they had to tell you.

How is that different from them being able to record your phone calls or e-mails?

Yes, I would think anywhere on their premises, but not the bathrooms.

Yes, they can. If they have a strong suspicion that there is some ilegal activity going on in the work place, then they do not have to inform you that there is CCTV being installed.

What that member of staff told you was pure speculation and I wouldn't put too much credibility on it. As far as I know, you cannot be filmed by "Hidden" cameras as that is an invasion of your privacy. If cameras are ever installed then signs have to be put up to say that "CCTV in Operation".

It is extremely illegal. If you report the incident to the head of HR there will be hell. If the HR people are in it, too. Call the helpline number at your work to express your concern.

Legally they have to inform you when you are being filmed, e.g. they have to display signs saying "CCTV is operating in this area". As long as they meet this requirement, they can film you whereever they like except in the bathrooms.

An employer can have video cameras installed and not tell anyone, it is their right.
Usually they only do it if security is an issue or if they think employees are ripping them off.
Sad, but true.

im fairly certain they have to tell you where all camras are located

i think they have to have a sign up saying-these premises are being monitored etc but i dont think they have to say where-of course they cant put them in toilets/restrooms

Secretly videotaping anyone anywhere for any reason is illegal, esp in the workplace. The only time it is not illegal is in banks and in private homes with nanny cams because so much abuse goes on with little kids. So next time the member of your staff shoots his mouth off, you can tell him he is 100 percent wrong.

Only in public areas.
Restrooms and dressing rooms would be off limits.

Unless there are signs which say that cctv is in operation, it is illegal and contrevening RIPA, its an act which covers surveillance etc

Here's an article which seems to cover the issue well: http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/about-...

Basically, it depends on the type and size of the business and where you live. It also depends on how the recording will be used.

Yes they can. It sucks though.

I think they can,we have all seen these CCTV clips on the TV even in the UK. So if this can be released to TV broadcasting companies it must be legal. I would think they have to inform you that there are cams on the premises but not there location. As for changing room and toilets,defintely ilegal!

Legally they can plant video cameras without telling you, although not viewing places like bathroom stalls.

It's TELEPHONE conversations that can't be recorded without notifying the party on the other end of the call. Maybe that's what you remember hearing about.

If you have a union, it could be a "mandatory" subject of collective bargaining.