IMPACT Trade Union has confirmed that they made the complaint tothe office of the Data Protection Commissioner after discovering that non-essential and non emergency telephone calls have been taped without either the knowledge or permission of staff.
Richy Carrothers, IMPACT Assistant General Secretary North West said the revelations came to their attention as part of the recent controversy contained in the RTE Primetime Programme.
“Management have confirmed that all phone calls at the National Ambulance Control in Ballyshannon have been taped without either the knowledge or permission of staff, including all non-emergency and non-essential telephone lines and represents both serious breach of Data Protection legislation and also a serious breach of trust by the HSE.
“I have made a complaint to the Data Protection Commissioner and fundamental questions need to be answered as we are talking about human rights within the workplace.
“To further compound matters, the HSE confirmed in writing in 2010 that calls were not being telephoned. Last week I wrote to the National Ambulance Service Management with the following questions:
– Can the HSE confirm that the calls have been recorded without the permission or knowledge of staff?
– Who authorised the continuation of this practice?
– Who knew the this practice was continuing?
– Have these tapes ever been reviewed since 2010, if so please detail by whom and the nature of the monitoring/reviewing?
– Has the employer complied with Data Protection Legislation?
– Has the employer informed the Data Commissioner?
– What measures have been taken to rectify this?
“The Data Commissioner has acknowledged receipt also of the complaint , which will be reviewed following the disclosure by the employer. IMPACT is committed to getting the answers required by our members”
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