Media Release For Immediate Release June 24, 2015

Saanich Releases Report on Employee Monitoring Software Saanich, BC Saanich Council today released the June 15th report from interim CAO Andy Laidlaw

on the installation of employee monitoring software. The report answers a series of questions of

Council and together with the findings of an independent labour relations consultant, is intended to

bring closure for both Council and staff.

At its June 22nd In Camera meeting, Council accepted the findings and conclusions of the CAO and

the independent consultant on the outstanding issues concerning the installation of employee

monitoring software. The CAO was tasked with preparing the document as a response to Councils

questions following release of the Information and Privacy Commissioners March 30th report. In

addition, the CAO engaged an independent labour relations consultant to investigate personnel and

report on any possible breaches of conduct. The consultant met with Mayor Atwell and conducted

interviews with current and former staff. For greater transparency, the CAO is taking the unusual

step of releasing a summary of the investigators findings which concluded no evidence of

malfeasance and states, it was a corporate decision.

Decisions were made by the senior management in the best interests of protecting Saanichs

information and technology system. The implementation lacked a review through the lens of FIPPA

because the software was being viewed purely as an additional security installation, states Laidlaw

in his report. Although I recognize the security needs, I believe and agree with the Commissioner

that the interface with privacy issues and the completion of a Privacy Impact Assessment should

have led us to conclude that keystroke logging and screenshot recordings could be reserved for

specific employment security issues.

The June 15th report of the CAO and a summary of findings from the independent consultant are

attached.

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Media Contact: Andy Laidlaw andy.laidlaw@saanich.ca 250-475-5555