Following the limited relaxation of lockdown restrictions by the UK Government and the likely return to the workplace of at least some employees, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published some helpful guidance for employers on the data protection issues raised by workplace testing for coronavirus.
The guidance notes that, although data protection law does not stop employers taking measures that are required to protect their staff and the public during the coronavirus pandemic, personal data must be handled carefully.
Continue Reading UK Information Commissioner Issues New Guidance for Employers on Workplace Testing for Coronavirus
In an interesting data protection case, Elgizouli (Appellant) v Secretary of State for the Home Department (Respondent) [2020] UKSC 10, the UK Supreme Court has held that the UK Government breached data protection laws in passing information to US authorities following a mutual legal assistance (MLA) request that could involve the US seeking the death penalty for two men. The men are alleged to have been members of a terrorist group operating in Syria involved in the torture and murder of hostages.
A landmark group claim for compensation under data protection laws in the UK between employees and employer has failed. The UK’s Supreme Court has held that a rogue employee’s activities were not sufficiently connected with his employment to make Morrison, his employer, vicariously liable for the data protection breach. If it had been held liable Morrison would have been in line to make compensation payments to nearly 10,000 employees.