If you would like to record a meeting or conversation with a staff member please ask for their consent first. Usually, there should be no need to do this as you can request a written summary be provided after the meeting.
In New Zealand, it is generally not illegal to record a meeting you are a part of, even if others are unaware, as long as you are a party to the conversation. This is often referred to as "single-party consent". However, it is not appropriate to record people without informing them and there are potential legal and ethical implications to consider.
Ethical and practical considerations:
- Trust and confidentiality: Secret recordings can erode trust and confidence in the community.
- Potential for misuse: Recordings can be taken out of context or used unfairly/inappropriately.
- Privacy Act and Crimes Act: While not explicitly prohibiting recording, the Privacy Act 2020 and the Crimes Act 1961 may apply depending on the context of the recording, particularly if the recording is shared or used in a way that could violate someone's privacy or involve unlawful interception of communications.
Best practices:
- Transparency: It is advisable to be transparent and inform participants if you intend to record a meeting or conversation.
- Good faith: Always act in good faith and be mindful of the potential impact of your actions on others. Put yourself in the shoes of the other person -i.e. would you be comfortable being recorded without your consent.
- Professional conduct: When acting as a professional in the workplace you must display professional behaviour and etiquette.
This aligns with our behaviours and policies here:
Staff Code of Conduct I Tikanga Kaimahi
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy
Prevention of Harassment and Bullying Policy
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