Landmark case prompts investigation into the use of biometrics in the workplace

A landmark court case will prompt an investigation into the use of biometrics in the workplace by the Australian government, a recent news report has been able to suggest.

Former sawmill operator, Mr Jeremy Lee, has been granted permission to appeal a decision that denied his claim to unfair dismissal on the basis of his refusal to use biometric fingerprint scanning technology implemented by his former employer, Superior Wood Pty Ltd (Superior Wood), for time-keeping purposes.

Upon rolling out the new technology, Superior Wood announced that “all employees must use the biometric scanners to record attendance on site”. Mr Lee had objected, expressing concern about the collection of his personal information. Mr Lee was ultimately dismissed for failure to adhere to Superior Wood’s Site Attendance Policy.

The case is the first to consider whether an employer can dismiss workers for refusing to provide biometric information. The Fair Work Commission Full Bench granted permission to appeal, as it was satisfied that the matter raises “important, novel and emerging issues,” which the full bench has not previously considered.

In Mr Lee’s opinion, this decision may change the nature of the relationship between the employer and the employee “from an exchange of labour to one which includes the collection of employees’ sensitive information.” Whether the consequence will be as far-reaching remains to be seen. For now, however, these proceedings bring into sharp relief the need to thoroughly consider the privacy implications of rolling out new technologies in the workplace.

Time & Attendance UK – expert suppliers of biometric time and attendance systems

Keeping tabs on when staff are supposed to be at work and all other matters of absence or lateness reporting are covered by Time and Attendance UK clocking systems.

Biometrics can be added to your time and attendance system to provide irrefutable proof of identity. Time and Attendance UK have a range of dermal fingerprint scanners that read below the surface layer of skin down to the dermal layer where your true fingerprint resides. You can choose where you wish your biometric readers to be.

If you want to find out more about the range of affordable, reliable solutions provided by Time & Attendance UK, just contact our dedicated product team, they’ll be more than happy to answer any question you might have.