Employees’ data protection and Work 4.0
Almost all entrepreneurial and business-related decision-making processes are now IT-assisted and involve data protection issues, e.g. as regards access to business email accounts where private use is permitted and data transfer within a group of companies or to external service providers. In addition to the strict requirements of the Bundesdatenschutzgesetz (German Federal Data Protection Act), extensive co-determination rights of the works council have to be observed which, where changes are made to the IT structure, involve substantial potential for delays. We advise you on all issues of employees’ data protection and guide you towards feasible solutions with the works council.
The EU General Data Protection Regulation which will enter into force in 2018 will also require considerable adjustments. This applies especially to works council agreements involving IT issues. The reason is that in case of a violation of the new Data Protection Regulation, companies not only have to fear fines but even the skimming off of company profits. We assist you in implementing the legal requirements in an efficient and practical manner.
Big Data – the availability of large data volumes in real time – is changing the work environment fundamentally. This is referred to as “Industry 4.0” or “Work 4.0”: Big Data enables work at any time and any place. Traditional structures – place of work and (physical) work organization, the threshold between work and private life – are put to test. We advise you on reviewing and adjusting the existing, and on creating new working conditions: efficiently, lawfully and at the same time for the good of your employees.
