Other ILO publications

Pages25-25
Other ILO publications
Special series on workers’ privacy
Part I: Protection of personal data
Conditions of Work Digest, Volume 10, Number 2
Advances in data-processing technology have significantly increased the capacity of employers to collect,
store and process information on individual employees, and to incorporate data rapidly from other
sources. Such information may be incorrect, misleading, and/or collected without the worker’s
knowledge. It may be used for purposes other than those for which it was gathered, and could be
transmitted to unauthorized third parties. This Digest seeks to answer questions about what kind of data
can be collected and how data should be handled in the employment relationship. It contains: an analysis
by a leading data protection expert of issues surrounding workers’ privacy; provisions of international
instruments on the protection of personal data; analysis of national legislation in 19 countries to protect
individual privacy in data processing systems; collective agreements, policy statements, directives and
guidelines at the enterprise level; and policy positions of trade unions, employers’ organizations,
governments and other groups.
ISBN 92-2-108251-2 ISSN 0257-3512 45 Swiss francs
Part II: Monitoring and surveillance in the workplace
Cconditions of Work Digest, Volume 12, Number 1
Do individuals have a right to expect a certain level of personal privacy in the workplace, or does going to
work mean subjecting oneself to scrutiny of every action? claims of invasion of privacy and violation of
human dignity linked to the expansion of monitoring and surveillance techniques in the workplace often
involve computer-based performance monitoring, monitoring of telephone calls and other
communications, video surveillance, searches of employees and their possessions, and a variety of
locational devices. This Digest examines to what extent such practices are restricted or prohibited, and
describes approaches to protection of workers’ privacy, while recognizing the legitimate needs of
employees. It provides a comparative analysis of issues and legal approaches at the national and
international level, a survey of the legal framework applicable to monitoring and surveillance in 19
industrialized countries, and policies, guidelines and recommendations of workers’ and employers’
organizations, gover nments and other groups.
ISBN 92-2-108740-9 ISSN 0257-3512 45 Swiss francs
Part III: Testing in the workplace
Conditions of Work Digest, Volume 12, Number 2
Is testing of workers and job applicants to detect alcohol and drug abuse, HIV/AIDS status, genetic traits,
psychological characteristics and honesty, relevant to an employer’s legitimate needs, or does it constitute
an unjustified invasion of the individual’s private sphere? Under what circumstances can an employer
state a compelling justification that would override the privacy interests of the person to be tested? There
are also questions of test reliability, cost, the intimate nature of information sought and the disclosure of
test results. This Digest discusses to what extent employment testing occurs and what restrictions have
been placed on the use of various tests in 18 industrialized countries. It provides a comparative analysis of
the situation and the legal provisions applicable to testing in these countries, as well as international
instruments, guidelines and recommendations, and policy positions of workers’ and employers’
organizations, gover nments and other groups
ISBN 92-2-108746-8 ISSN 0257-3512 45 Swiss francs
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