Sweden green lights 'fingerprint time clocks'
Swedish employers have been authorised to use fingerprints to track worker’s job attendance following a review of the practice by the Data Inspection Board (Datainspektionen).
After receiving a complaint, the agency launched an investigation into a system in place at telephone and electronics retailer The Phone House which replaced a traditional time clock with a fingerprint scanner.
The system involved used employees fingerprints to track when workers came to work in the morning, when they took lunch, and when they left at the end of the work day.
In giving its approval to the system, the Data Inspection Board emphasised that employees must give their consent to the practice and be allowed to refuse to use the system.
In addition, the agency said that employees were entitled to receive “clear and detailed information” about what the fingerprint scanning system entailed.
The agency received an anonymous complaint, which led to a review of practices at The Phone House.
The company told the Data Inspection Board that it implemented the system at several of its retail outlets to protect against employees punching time cards for other workers.
“We think that it’s okay under the condition that this company receives consent from employees. It’s important to emphasise that the employees not be subject to any direct or indirect pressure to choose the system,” said Data Inspection Board lawyer Lars Söderberg to the TT news agency.
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After receiving a complaint, the agency launched an investigation into a system in place at telephone and electronics retailer The Phone House which replaced a traditional time clock with a fingerprint scanner.
The system involved used employees fingerprints to track when workers came to work in the morning, when they took lunch, and when they left at the end of the work day.
In giving its approval to the system, the Data Inspection Board emphasised that employees must give their consent to the practice and be allowed to refuse to use the system.
In addition, the agency said that employees were entitled to receive “clear and detailed information” about what the fingerprint scanning system entailed.
The agency received an anonymous complaint, which led to a review of practices at The Phone House.
The company told the Data Inspection Board that it implemented the system at several of its retail outlets to protect against employees punching time cards for other workers.
“We think that it’s okay under the condition that this company receives consent from employees. It’s important to emphasise that the employees not be subject to any direct or indirect pressure to choose the system,” said Data Inspection Board lawyer Lars Söderberg to the TT news agency.
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