Is It Legal For My Employer To Record/listen To My Private Conversations In A House Provided As Part Of My Job

[Benjiboy]

I have found bugging equipment hidden in a house provided as part of my job.

[jno]

my first reaction was also wolf's: how do you know who it was? I'd think twice before accusing someone without proof.

As far as I know, bugging is legal. But the minute they try to do anything with the material they're likely to have Data Protection problems.

[Benjiboy]

That's why I asked Prudie, I am not sure its as clear cut as people may think

[Benjiboy]

jno, my issue is how can anyone eavesdrop on their Private life without permission?

[hc4361]

Call the police. Don't mention your suspicions about your employer - let them sort it out.

[DarceyK123]

Can't you just disconnect the bug? What could he say?

[EDDIE51]

Not sure if it is true or even relevant but , if the house is provided as part of the job might it count as part of the workplace? Bugging the workplace is definitely legal.

[hc4361]

No, it does not count as the workplace, Eddie, unless Benjiboy is living in the workplace, for example a B&B

[Peter Pedant]

you might try contacting the information commissioners office

oops sorry its not - deffo no
If the recording is between A and B and either A or B is doing it then it is lawful - ( one sided consent and all that)

employer recording you and not telling you ( are you sure they havent ?) is not and you should complain to the ICO

is the bug being used? - if not then nothing has been risked

so you can show he CAN listen to you and not that he does

Now do you remember Mellor the MP ( football kit) and Antonia (I am not a prostitute) Sanchez ? He was recorded .... and Antonia waved her sweet hands and said she knew naught. It turned out that her landlords had bugged the rooms ( aka Mossad). The filmage was used to ruin him. and It turned out that since the landlords had done it - it wasnt then unlawful
but blimey this was 20 y ago

[Peter Pedant]

i hadnt realised david mellor was so much fun

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Mellor

[Gizmonster]

//// Can't you just disconnect the bug? What could he say? ////

Exactly what I was thinking.

Depending on how and where the bugs are fitted, if you don't know how to disconnect them, could you accidentally damage them to render them useless .... drop them in water, stand on them, etc??
You obviously know where they are ...... so I know what I'd do.
I doubt your boss is going to reprimand you for damaging his bugs is he??
If you don't want to damage them, would it be possible to soundproof them - wrap them in foam, cotton wool or whatever??

[fiction-factory]

Maybe this has been covered- i have only skimmed through; have you asked your employer? There may be a simple explanation. Going to the police and then finding out there is no buggging or there is a vaild reason could seriously damage you relationship with your employer

[murraymints]

downright creepy..flush them down the loo..see if he says anything , then challenge !

[Peter Pedant]

why not put a transistor radio next to it
stuck on Radio 1 !

[aelmpvw]

//why not put a transistor radio next to it //
or make exceedingly flattering remarks about your employer

[fiction-factory]

How do you know it's the employer's bugging device?
Maybe the police/MI5 are bugging you.

[cassa333]

How long have you lived there? Arevthey just voice recordings or are they video? If you have noticed them perhaps he already knows you know. You will surly have tales about it. Even if it was just... what the f is this? It looks like a microphone? What the f? ... that could be a bit of a giveaway.

If possible I would move it to the local pub.

[Peter Pedant]

// jno, my issue is how can anyone eavesdrop on their Private life without permission?//
this is a big legal issue as stated and involves civil rights
clearly you are being eaves dropped taking cash out of a cash machine or walking along a hsopital corridor on the way to visit a patient

so clearly there isnt a general right to privacy ( and therefore a related duty on others to respect your privacy )
I have CCTV in my own house - and the police were quite cheerful about the footage being used to establish if a writ had been correctly served - did they need the permission of the writ server and the visitor ? Nope. ( writ incorrectly served - still pleaded guilty)

which means - - - who can do when and what ?

The ICO site has a lot about whether employers can listen to employees with or without notice
You have covered one - yes when they suspect/investigate fraud
or with notice

so it comes down to the facts in the case
he had given you the use of a house -
and you have found bugging equiprment

you are still quite far from being able to show that he is bugging and listening to you -

and it looks as tho you are faced with
'under certain circumstances - they can do this'

[Peter Pedant]

// Maybe the police/MI5 are bugging you.//
no they kinda do it without you knowing

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/wikileaks-documents-show-alleged-cia-program-hack-smart-tvs-article-1.2991141

prior to that tee-vees were still the favoured objaaaay for listening devices - please dont ask me how I know

[fiction-factory]

Something seems a bit odd to me here.

[RATTER15]

If you are good with accents or have a few asian friends, have a lengthy and detailed conversation about placing a very large bomb
at the reception of your employment office with details of all the bomb making material being stored at your address.

If they are listening, someone will be knocking on your door very soon!!
To find nothing!