Privacy in the workplace

1. Privacy in the workplace Chris Connolly Director Financial Services Consumer Policy Centre FSCPC

2. Introduction • In Australia, we have chosen to exempt employee records from the new privacy legislation for the private sector… • In the rest of the world, employee privacy gets special protection… • This presentation examines how we can address privacy issues in the workplace FSCPC

3. Overview • Workplace privacy protection in Australia (Federal) • Workplace privacy protection in Australia (State) • The EU Directive and the The US Safe Harbour arrangements • The Hong Kong Human Resources Management Code of Conduct and the UK Email Guidelines • Good Corporate Practice FSCPC

4. Federal protection • Privacy (Private Sector) Amendment Act 2000 • Exemption for employee records • Government inquiry into existing protections • Do industrial relations laws protect privacy? • Ansett Case • Privacy Commissioner Guidelines • Email in the workplace FSCPC

5. State Legislation • NSW • General privacy law • Video surveillance • Email guidelines • Victoria • General privacy law • Surveillance Devices Act FSCPC

6. International Developments • EU Directive • US Safe Harbour Arrangements • FAQ 9 on protecting employee privacy • Hong Kong • Human Resources Management Code of Conduct • United Kingdom • Email in the workplace FSCPC

7. Good Corporate Practice • Advertising • Unsolicited CVs • Employee Privacy Policy • Handling of Sensitive Data • Retention and Destruction policy • Email and web use policy • Surveillance in the workplace • Access and correction rights FSCPC

8. The Centre Financial Services Consumer Policy Centre. Law Faculty University of New South Wales NSW 2052 t. (02) 9385 1208 f. (02) 9385 1778 director@fscpc.org.au FSCPC