Dilemmas of Professional Video Calls in Public Places
Potential privacy concern: Overhearing conversations or data transmissions from nearby devices.
Snagging a spot for a video call on the train, at the café, or even the playground? Not so fast. Take a look at these potential pitfalls and legal implications when organizing your professional video chats outside the office.
"It's tricky territoryyy, bruh, and it majorly depends on the nitty-gritty of the convo content," grins Jakob T. Lange, a sharp shooter in employment law, based in Wiesbaden.
Plopping yourself in public view while talking shop might make the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) your unwelcome dance partner. If you're seen by others during the call, GDPR kicks in. That means everyone involved needs to give their permission and be informed that they might be visible to other parties.
Venturing into murky waters of privacy, even a simple name-drop can chafe data protection regulations, as it constitutes personal information. So Lange strongly advises against chatting about your team's vacation plans, family leave, or salary boosts during an open-air powwow, especially if sensitive details slip into the chat without consent.
Toeing the Line Between Privacy and Transparency
Guess who else might be keeping an eye on what you're up to? Your company. They've probably got rules and regulations on data privacy or info security guidelines that you need to follow, especially when you're working from home sweet home. Some companies might mandate screen protectors or software solutions to shield your screen from wandering eyes.
Don't mess with your employer's data privacy rules; the consequences can range from a stern warning to being shown the door promptly. And if you blatantly disregard confidentiality clauses, you could even justify getting kicked off the team—or owe a payout for damages.
About the guy: Jakob T. Lange is a shrewd employment lawyer and a power player in the working group on employment law at the German Bar Association (DAV).
According to Jakob T. Lange, a prominent employment lawyer, discussing sensitive topics such as team vacations, family leaves, or salary increases during a video call in public places may violate data protection regulations and could potentially lead to legal consequences. It is also crucial to be aware of and adhere to company data privacy rules and guidelines, especially when working from home, to avoid facing penalties, warnings, or even termination.
