Toilet break alarm fitted at call centre

Norwegian call centre workers have vented their anger over alarms in their toilets.

Managers have fitted a system whereby they are alerted if any employee takes longer than eight minutes away from their desk.

Insurance company DNB is being criticised for its "highly intrusive" policy by unions and workplace inspectors alike.

Norway's privacy regulator Datatilsynet said in a statement: "Each individual worker has different needs and these kinds of strict controls deprive the employees of all freedoms over the course of their working day."

Meanwhile, a spokesman for staff union Finansforbundet commented: "Surveying staff to limit lavatory visits, cigarette breaks, personal phone calls and other personal needs to a total of eight minutes per day is highly restrictive and intrusive and must be stopped."

The company has signalled its intention to review the practice.

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