I have been working at the same place for almost three years. They are currently starting a new attendance system that requires all employees to punch in/out with a card and then verify the punch with their fingerprint. Is this legal? If I decline to give my fingerprint and then get canned can I sue? I do not have any thing to hide, but I feel weird handing out my fingerprint with a chance that I could be falsly accused of something, even if that is a long shot.
2006-08-23 06:39:01 · 15 answers · asked by maria_n_chris i 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Sounds a little over the top. But I'm guessing they're just scanning the fingerprint, right? And not actually taking it with ink? In this case, it's called "biometrics".
Welcome to the 21st century...
2006-08-23 06:41:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Generally speaking, you don't have the right to keep your fingerprints private from your employer. But, at the same time, you also don't have to give them your fingerprint. You live in a free country, you are not a slave, you can do anything you want; BUT your employer is free to do whatever they want, including firing you. While you are at work, if you want to keep your job, you give them your fingerprint if they ask for it. If you feel that your employer is capable of falsely accusing you of something, maybe you should find another job anyway.
2006-08-23 08:46:38 · answer #2 · answered by www.lvtrafficticketguy.com 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your fingerprints are not generally consider private, because you leave them on anything you touch.
So, as a matter of privacy, the company is not requiring you to do anything unreasonable. Also, it's a private company so they can set their own requirements for who gets (or remains) employed.
If they were only fingerprinting one race, or one gender, or only non-married people, that would be actionable. But a general policy like this is probably legal. And unless the company policies grant you some right to object, it probably wouldn't be grounds for suit.
2006-08-23 07:17:24 · answer #3 · answered by coragryph 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not illegal for an employer to set security guidelines for their facility, and this requirement would be upheld in court, as it's not an invasion of your body, (blood sample, strip search), that would be considered unusual and out of the norm. So if you refuse and they fire you, you're out of a job.
If your fingerprint wasn't on the crime, why would you be accused of it? They're not submitting it to the FBI for comparison, are they? If they're taking a full set and telling people they're running a background check first, then they are submitting it to the crime bank. If it's just a thumb print for the scanner at the door to recognize, you're in good company with a lot of other employees.
2006-08-23 06:49:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think if it is legal (so he says) for Bush to wire tap us and God knows what else, it should be okay for a business to handle that business as they see fit. I wouldn't think it is illegal but it could also help you in a given situation. So look at it that way. If you have nothing to hide and are doing your job to the best of your ability, you have nothing to worry about. As for suing them, it would depend on the situation for your dismissal. If you like your job, stay with it. There are too many people out there working hard at jobs they hate. I was one of them for many years.
2006-08-23 06:46:57 · answer #5 · answered by Annie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is legal, the question is are you comfortable with it? If you are working with a company that deals with classified or higher clearance, it would be completely understandable, if not and you have the ability to find other comparable employment I would do so.
2015-09-29 00:39:15 · answer #6 · answered by Nicole Carter 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if this is a government agency,
or if this is being done to protect the public.
perhaps they are taking precautions due
to trade secrets,
or they have gotten threats
and are acting accordingly.
i understand passcards,
the new technology also does fingerprint recognition
and even iris recognition.
if you are talking about one finger being
printed, i wouldn't worry about it.
do you need the job?
be glad you are working where it is safe
and let it go at that
2006-08-23 06:50:26 · answer #7 · answered by john john 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is legal and a good way for your employer to make sure that you are actually the one clocking in and reporting to work on time and if you refuse to give your fingerprint your employer can fire you and you will have no recourse
2006-08-23 06:51:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Fingerprint Identifaction is the wave of the future. Soon enough you will be required to do so boarding airplanes as well. I know that it seems scary but in the name of security please be open to the option.
2006-08-23 06:43:21 · answer #9 · answered by happyheathy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm not sure that it's illegal, but you should probably ask a lawyer if you're risking getting sacked at your job! You don't want to ask the public, who don't know anything about the law these kind of things!
2006-08-23 06:41:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋