‘Microchip your dogs - not your employees’ says CIPR
The CIPR has raised concerns over the prospect of British employers implanting staff with microchips to improve security and efficiency.
The news follows recent reports in the Independent that several legal and financial firms in the UK are in discussions with a company responsible for fitting thousands of people with chips in Scandinavia.
The CIPR believes microchipping staff undermines employee privacy and does not serve the interests of businesses in the long-term.
At a time when discussions at the highest levels of business are focussed on developing new models in engaging and empowering the workforce, these proposals are a step in the wrong direction.
Implanting microchips in staff through invasive surgery is both unethical and unnecessary. If businesses microchip staff to secure their confidential material and manage risk, they will be requiring employees to go through a minor surgical procedure every 2-3 years, just to stay in touch with the current rate of technological development.
Trusting staff – and treating them with respect - improves productivity. Microchipping them like dogs does not.
About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK and overseas. The CIPR is the largest membership organisation for PR practitioners outside of North America. By size of turnover and number of individually registered members, we are the leading representative body for the PR profession and industry in Europe.
The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR)