Staff at Richard Desmond’s newspapers face the prospect of searches and monitoring by security cameras in a crackdown on equipment going missing.
Andy Taylor, group managing editor at Express Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Express, Sunday Express, Daily Star and Daily Star Sunday, said there has been an “unacceptable level of office equipment being moved or interfered with”.
The email warning to staff cited instances of chairs, keyboards, mice, books, paper and pens being removed.
“Can I remind you that the removal of equipment and/or interference with your colleagues’ work station is not acceptable. This includes company property being taken off-site which is effectively theft.
“Any member of staff or casual worker who is found to be removing any company property without my prior permission will be dealt with in accordance with the disciplinary policy.”
The issue with staff moving office equipment appears to be, in part at least, the fault of management, with Taylor admitting that it has inadequate supplies.
“I am aware in certain areas there is a shortage of keyboards and mice and I have placed an order which should be with us shortly to rectify this,” he said.
Nevertheless, Taylor said there would be a major crackdown if the situation does not quickly “resolve itself naturally”.
“I am very keen to avoid installing cameras on the editorial floors, neither am I keen for security to begin searching bags when staff or casual workers leave after their shift,” he said. “However, if I don’t see this situation improving immediately I will need to take further measures which could result in the aforementioned.”
Last month, the Daily Telegraph was forced to remove devices installed to monitor staff activity in the office, after it was heavily criticised by the National Union of Journalists for carrying out “surveillance” on its employees.
