Major Aussie banks draconian WFH demands are revealed: Do not sign

A major Aussie bank has asked employees to sign contracts giving the company the right to monitor them with video surveillance while they work from home. 

The draft contract states that AMP may carry out continuous, ongoing camera surveillance on or around the premises of AMP and in any other place where you work, as reported by news.com.au. 

The surveillance could also include accessing email accounts and emails, accessing files and other information contained on computers, storage devices or communications devices, and accessing records of internet usage including sites and pages visited, files downloaded, video and audio files accessed and data input.

There was also a medical examinations clause, stating that AMP may require you to be examined by a medical practitioner of its choice, either before you start employment or during your employment, for the purpose of determining your fitness to work.

In addition, the bank may obtain and use the results of these examinations for any purpose relating to your employment. 

Finance Sector Union (FSU) general secretary Nicole McPherson blasted the draconian contract that features some very disturbing surveillance and medical privacy provisions. 

It is shocking that any employer would propose the right to video monitor its workers in their own homes, force them to undergo a medical examination by the employers doctor of choice and give up their right to privacy of medical information, she said. 

The FSU has urged its members not to sign the contract and demanded it be revised.

A major Aussie bank has asked employees to sign contracts giving the company the right to monitor them with video surveillance while they work from home (stock)

The draft contract states that AMP may carry out continuous, ongoing camera surveillance of employees, even while they work from home

Finance Sector Union (FSU) general secretary Nicole McPherson (pictured) slammed the contract as draconian and urged union members not to sign

About 2,000 staff have been given one week to sign the document, and they have been incentivised to do so with a $1,000 share plan grant, Ms McPherson claimed. 

Members are feeling pressured, feeling scared, theyre feeling stressed, she said. 

Theyre telling us theyre incredibly worried about their personal information, confidentiality, about keeping cameras out of their homes.

Ms McPherson was outraged by another clause that said employees would not be allowed to take up a voluntary position outside work without AMPs written consent.

If you wanted to do something like coach your daughters netball team on the weekend, if youre a member of your church committee or Rotary Club, you would have to go and get AMPs prior written approval, she said. 

Another clause stated employees would be required to respond to contact from AMP outside ordinary hours, which she said was against workers right to disconnect. 

But AMP hit back on Friday, saying references to video surveillance related to CCTV cameras on the company premises, not watching employees during work from home.

The bank told Daily Mail Australia in a statement that the contracts were drafted and reviewed by an external law firm, who verified that all of the contract clauses align with common industry practice used by many other organisations, and comply with current legal requirements. 

To confirm, AMP is not and will not conduct camera surveillance on employees when they work from home, a spokesperson said.