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 [email protected] 250-475-5555
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