Company demanding personal information

[handpaper]

under threat of sanction.

So there's a delivery point, let's refer to it as 'Alan'.

Drivers making deliveries to their distribution centres are required to provide their full name and date of birth, confirmed by ID. This is then compared with an internal database, to confirm that the driver has completed a mandatory training course* on operating the necessary equipment required to make such a delivery. They have a data protection policy and everything.

Trouble is, no-one else does it this way. I have had to complete many 'site induction' courses, and in every other case the result is a card with my name and a confirmation that I've watched their boring video and/or passed their simple test. I have quite a collection - and most are from far more sensitive operations than a supermarket DC. Their direct competitor (we'll call them Leon) requires a tick in a box marked "I know what I'm doing" at most.

Now I don't work for this company. And I don't have much of a choice about whether I go to their site(s). So I don't see why it could be acceptable for them to collect personal information on me, for the convenience of the system that they alone choose to operate. And if I object, I am "rejected as a driver on the system", which means I cannot make a delivery to any of their sites in the UK, regardless of which haulier or supplier I happen to be working for. This has the potential to make working as a driver for any employer difficult.

I don't know if this behaviour is illegal, but it feels as if it ought to be. Any comment?


* watch a five minute video and answer ten questions. There is no practical demonstration on how to operate the three pieces of equipment involved.

[drdel]

Unfortunately for you the industry is riddled with rule benders and the company's trying to protect itself.

You can make your own decision and decide if this is a deal breaker.

[CHLEMCBC]

Are you going to be at some kind of risk by providing the information or are you just being stubborn?

[Tisy]

Lidl and Aldi have had this system in place for probably 20 years now and it was Netto before that. Everyone doing general haulage has been through this at some point and dug their heels in. No-one has been successful because a) the haulier doesn't want to lose the work and b) there is an endless line of Bogdans and Krzysztofs who will fill your place and do it without question. It's entirely your choice whether you want to make it your hill to die on but I can tell you from personal experience that you'll either have to comply or you'll be sacked/managed out. It's not right but that's just how it is and the reality.