ICO opens employment data consultation

In a blog post by Anulka Clarke, acting director of regulatory assurance at the ICO, the regulator confirmed it was looking for view on how personal data was used in employment practices.

The ICO said it was looking to also provide easily accessible online resources to replace the current code, and said that the guidance would cover topics such as recruitment and selection, employment records, monitoring of workers and information about workers’ health.

Responses are requested from large and small businesses, workers, trades unions, professional and trade bodies. The consultation closes on 21st October 2021.

Clarke wrote: “Artificial intelligence and machine learning are impacting the ways decisions are made about workers; monitoring technologies are more varied and widespread in use; and the Covid-19 pandemic has suddenly accelerated the trend for remote working and for obtaining health data.

“When used in the workplace, these developments and other similar issues can impact on people’s privacy. It’s vital that employers understand how they can operate in the changing environment and build trust with their workers when it comes to protecting their information rights.”