Fingerprint time clock

[ARJ]

What is the name of your state? New York

Hi

I'm not sure this is the right section for this but I didn't see anywhere under the employment section.

I work for a hotel in NY and they just recently acquired a new time clock for us to use to punch in where we have to place our finger on it so that it can read it. They are telling us that is doesn't retain your fingerprint in any way but I don't see how it can recognize my finger from others if it doesn't store it. Personally I feel my fingerprint is just like my DNA personal and not something to have floating around. The way I see it if I'm not working for the government they don't need my print especially when all I am doing is checking people in and out of the hotel. My position is union and they debated back and forth with this new company for a while but have finally agreed for union members to use it. I am not happy with this and was wondering if there was any type of law against this type of thing. This same company took forever to stop placing our full SS# on our paycheck sign sheet for anyone and everyone to see and copy down. I don't count on them being careful with my fingerprint.

If this isn't illegal in anyway then it should be. I shouldn't be forced to give my fingerprint to anyone unless I work for the goverment or am arrested, neither of which I intend to do.

Thanks

 

[Zigner]

It's not illegal - and you leave your fingerprints in hundreds, if not thousands of places every day. And, the last nail in the coffin is that your union agreed to it.

 

[CraigFL]

While most devices like this don't actually store an image of your print, they do store the mathematical algorithm to recognize it. I'm sure the manufacturer has software to reverse the process that they used in checking the system but I suspect that it isn't readily available for purchasers of the product. Reversing the process will probably not yield a photographic image anyway.

Fingerprinting is for everyones protection. Remember though, you do have the final say in this matter if you don't like it -- You don't have to work there.

 

[ARJ]

Zigner

Yes I know we all leave our fingerprints around everyday but there is a big difference between that (of which for just anyone to have access to it they would have to have the know how and equipement to lift the print ) and it being stored in a company file where someone can just take it. There is a security issue involved when a company has your prints and is a legitimate concern.

CraigFL

Thank you for the detailed explanation of how the machine functions. I feel better knowing that they can not reproduce an image of my print which was my concern since this company isn't known for being discreet with personal information. In addition there are a number of employees with shady reputations. (some of which have been fired because their theft was obvious others who not enough evidence was available to do anything about them) And yes if this produced an image of my finger I would be searching for another job because it is my belief that my print is not necessary for this job and I do not trust the company and their security measures.

Thank you for the information.

 

[mlane58]

Zigner

Yes I know we all leave our fingerprints around everyday but there is a big difference between that (of which for just anyone to have access to it they would have to have the know how and equipement to lift the print ) and it being stored in a company file where someone can just take it. There is a security issue involved when a company has your prints and is a legitimate concern.

CraigFL

Thank you for the detailed explanation of how the machine functions. I feel better knowing that they can not reproduce an image of my print which was my concern since this company isn't known for being discreet with personal information. In addition there are a number of employees with shady reputations. (some of which have been fired because their theft was obvious others who not enough evidence was available to do anything about them) And yes if this produced an image of my finger I would be searching for another job because it is my belief that my print is not necessary for this job and I do not trust the company and their security measures.

Thank you for the information.

It is not that your fingerprint is neccessary for your job, it is a biometric system and your fingerprint is needed on the timclock to ensure it is you who is clocking and not your buddy clocking in for you.

 

[Zigner]

Just a neat little tidbit - Mythbusters did a recent segment on the fingerprint scanners such as this - they found that they could be fooled by something as simple as a photocopy of the fingerprint...go figure

 

[mlane58]

Just a neat little tidbit - Mythbusters did a recent segment on the fingerprint scanners such as this - they found that they could be fooled by something as simple as a photocopy of the fingerprint...go figure

I can tell you that the one we use, it can't be done as we saw that also and tested ours several times with different employees.

 

[Zigner]

I can tell you that the one we use, it can't be done as we saw that also and tested ours several times with different employees.

Fair Enough - never had the opportunity to try it myself

 

[xylene]

Sensitve type of equipment.

They tend to get broken a lot and suffer from costly downtime and access failures.

The scanners are very sensitive to dirt and grease and other everyday contaminants that can get onto the parts in the course of their normal usage.

It would be really difficult to make sure every hand is clean that uses it and isn't leaving layer after layer of dead skin, grit, filth and hand cream on the critical parts.

That could really cut down on the reliability (and economic value) of the device.

In fact after a half dozen or so expensive repair calls to recalibrate the sensor after some everyday hand filth got on, the company might decide to scrap it.

Never seen that happen.