Data Protection Policy.

Design Signage Solutions Ltd

1. Introduction

1.1 This Policy sets out the obligations of Designs Signage Solutions Ltd regarding data protection and the rights of its employees (“data subjects”) in respect of their personal data under EU Regulation 2016/679 General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”).

1.2 The GDPR defines “personal data” as any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (a “data subject”); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier, or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural, or social identity of that natural person.

1.3 This Policy sets the Company’s obligations regarding the collection, processing, transfer, storage, and disposal of personal data. The procedures and principles set out herein must be followed at all times by the Company, its employees, agents, contractors, or other parties working on behalf of the Company.

1.4 The Company is committed not only to the letter of the law, but also to the spirit of the law and places high importance on the correct, lawful, and fair handling of all personal data, respecting the legal rights, privacy, and trust of all individuals with whom it deals.

2. The Data Protection Principles

This Policy aims to ensure compliance with the GDPR. The GDPR sets out the following principles with which any party handling personal data must comply. All personal data must be:

3. The Rights of Data Subjects

3.1 The GDPR sets out the following rights applicable to data subjects (please refer to the parts of this policy indicated for further details):

4. Lawful, Fair, and Transparent Data Processing

1. The GDPR seeks to ensure that personal data is processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently, without adversely affecting the rights of the data subject. The GDPR states that processing of personal data shall be lawful if at least one of the following applies:

  1. The data subject has given consent to the processing of their personal data for one or more specific purposes;
  2. The processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party, or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract with them;
  3. The processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the data controller is subject;
  4. The processing is necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person;
  5. The processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the data controller; or
  6. The processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the data controller or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data, in particular where the data subject is a child.

4.2 If the personal data in question is “special category data” (also known as “sensitive personal data”) (for example, data concerning the data subject’s race, ethnicity, politics, religion, trade union membership, genetics, biometrics (if used for ID purposes), health, sex life, or sexual orientation), at least one of the following conditions must be met:

5. Specified, Explicit, and Legitimate Purposes

  1. The Company collects and processes the personal data set out in Part 21 of this Policy. This includes:
    1. Personal data collected directly from data subjects
    2. Personal data obtained from third parties.
  2. The Company only collects, processes, and holds personal data for the specific purposes set out in Part 21 of this Policy (or for other purposes expressly permitted by the GDPR).
  3. Data subjects are kept informed at all times of the purpose or purposes for which the Company uses their personal data. Please refer to Part 12 for more information on keeping data subjects informed.

6. Adequate, Relevant, and Limited Data Processing

6.1 The Company will only collect and process personal data for and to the extent necessary for the specific purpose or purposes of which data subjects have been informed (or will be informed) as under Part 5, above, and as set out in Part 21, below.

7. Accuracy of Data and Keeping Data Up-to-Date

  1. The Company shall ensure that all personal data collected, processed, and held by it is kept accurate and up-to-date. This includes, but is not limited to, the rectification of personal data at the request of a data subject, as set out in Part 14, below.
  2. The accuracy of personal data shall be checked when it is collected and at 6 monthly intervals thereafter. If any personal data is found to be inaccurate or out-of-date, all reasonable steps will be taken without delay to amend or erase that data, as appropriate.

8. Data Retention

  1. The Company shall not keep personal data for any longer than is necessary in light of the purpose or purposes for which that personal data was originally collected, held, and processed.

8.2 When personal data is no longer required, all reasonable steps will be taken to erase or otherwise dispose of it without delay.

8.3 For full details of the Company’s approach to data retention, including retention periods for specific personal data types held by the Company, please refer to our Data Retention Policy.

9. Secure Processing

The Company shall ensure that all personal data collected, held, and processed is kept secure and protected against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction, or damage. Further details of the technical and organisational measures which shall be taken are provided in Parts 22 to 27 of this Policy.

10. Accountability and Record-Keeping

  1. The Admin Team Leader & Operations Director are responsible for overseeing the implementation of this Policy and for monitoring compliance with this Policy, the Company’s other data protection-related policies, and with the GDPR and other applicable data protection legislation.
  2. The Company shall keep written internal records of all personal data collection, holding, and processing, which shall incorporate the following information:

10.4 The name and details of the Company and any applicable third-party data processors;

11. Data Protection Impact Assessments

  1. The Company shall carry out Data Protection Impact Assessments for any and all new projects and/or new uses of personal data which involve the use of new technologies and the processing involved is likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of data subjects under the GDPR.

11.2 Data Protection Impact Assessments shall be overseen by the Data Protection Officer and shall address the following:

12. Keeping Data Subjects Informed

  1. The Company shall provide the information set out in Part 12.2 to every data subject:
    1. Where personal data is collected directly from data subjects, those data subjects will be informed of its purpose at the time of collection; and
    2. Where personal data is obtained from a third party, the relevant data subjects will be informed of its purpose:
    3. if the personal data is used to communicate with the data subject, when the first communication is made; or
    4. if the personal data is to be transferred to another party, before that transfer is made; or
    5. as soon as reasonably possible and in any event not more than one month after the personal data is obtained.
  2. The following information shall be provided:
    1. Details of the Company including, but not limited to, the individuals responsible for the implementation of this policy
    2. The purpose(s) for which the personal data is being collected and will be processed (as detailed in Part 21 of this Policy) and the legal basis justifying that collection and processing;
    3. Where applicable, the legitimate interests upon which the Company is justifying its collection and processing of the personal data;
    4. Where the personal data is not obtained directly from the data subject, the categories of personal data collected and processed;
    5. Where the personal data is to be transferred to one or more third parties, details of those parties;
    6. Details of data retention;
    7. Details of the data subject’s rights under the GDPR;
    8. Details of the data subject’s right to withdraw their consent to the Company’s processing of their personal data at any time;
    9. Details of the data subject’s right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (the “supervisory authority” under the GDPR);
    10. Where applicable, details of any legal or contractual requirement or obligation necessitating the collection and processing of the personal data and details of any consequences of failing to provide it; and
    11. Details of any automated decision-making or profiling that will take place using the personal data, including information on how decisions will be made, the significance of those decisions, and any consequences.

13. Data Subject Access

  1. Data subjects may make subject access requests (“SARs”) at any time to find out more about the personal data which the Company holds about them, what it is doing with that personal data, and why.
  2. Employees wishing to make a SAR should do using a Subject Access Request Form, sending the form to The Admin Team Leader or Operations Director
  3. Responses to SARs shall normally be made within one month of receipt, however this may be extended by up to two months if the SAR is complex and/or numerous requests are made. If such additional time is required, the data subject shall be informed.
  4. All SARs received shall be handled by The Admin Team Leader or Operations Director
  5. The Company does not charge a fee for the handling of normal SARs. The Company reserves the right to charge reasonable fees for additional copies of information that has already been supplied to a data subject, and for requests that are manifestly unfounded or excessive, particularly where such requests are repetitive.

14. Rectification of Personal Data

  1. Data subjects have the right to require the Company to rectify any of their personal data that is inaccurate or incomplete.
  2. The Company shall rectify the personal data in question, and inform the data subject of that rectification, within one month of the data subject informing the Company of the issue. The period can be extended by up to two months in the case of complex requests. If such additional time is required, the data subject shall be informed.
  3. In the event that any affected personal data has been disclosed to third parties, those parties shall be informed of any rectification that must be made to that personal data.

15. Erasure of Personal Data

  1. Data subjects have the right to request that the Company erases the personal data it holds about them in the following circumstances:
    1. It is no longer necessary for the Company to hold that personal data with respect to the purpose(s) for which it was originally collected or processed;
    2. The data subject wishes to withdraw their consent to the Company holding and processing their personal data;
    3. The data subject objects to the Company holding and processing their personal data (and there is no overriding legitimate interest to allow the Company to continue doing so) (see Part 18 of this Policy for further details concerning the right to object);
    4. The personal data has been processed unlawfully;
    5. The personal data needs to be erased in order for the Company to comply with a particular legal obligation
    6. The personal data is being held and processed for the purpose of providing information society services to a child.
  2. Unless the Company has reasonable grounds to refuse to erase personal data, all requests for erasure shall be complied with, and the data subject informed of the erasure, within one month of receipt of the data subject’s request. The period can be extended by up to two months in the case of complex requests. If such additional time is required, the data subject shall be informed.
  3. In the event that any personal data that is to be erased in response to a data subject’s request has been disclosed to third parties, those parties shall be informed of the erasure (unless it is impossible or would require disproportionate effort to do so).

16. Restriction of Personal Data Processing

  1. Data subjects may request that the Company ceases processing the personal data it holds about them. If a data subject makes such a request, the Company shall retain only the amount of personal data concerning that data subject (if any) that is necessary to ensure that the personal data in question is not processed further.
  2. In the event that any affected personal data has been disclosed to third parties, those parties shall be informed of the applicable restrictions on processing it (unless it is impossible or would require disproportionate effort to do so).

17. Data Portability

  1. The Company processes personal data using automated means. This includes systems such as company email, CRM system, NEST pensions and within Microsoft One Drive

17.2 Where data subjects have given their consent to the Company to process their personal data in such a manner, or the processing is otherwise required for the performance of a contract between the Company and the data subject, data subjects have the right, under the GDPR, to receive a copy of their personal data and to use it for other purposes (namely transmitting it to other data controllers).

18. Objections to Personal Data Processing

  1. Data subjects have the right to object to the Company processing their personal data based on legitimate interests, direct marketing (including profiling), and processing for scientific and/or historical research and statistics purposes.
  2. Where a data subject objects to the Company processing their personal data based on its legitimate interests, the Company shall cease such processing immediately, unless it can be demonstrated that the Company’s legitimate grounds for such processing override the data subject’s interests, rights, and freedoms, or that the processing is necessary for the conduct of legal claims.
  3. Where a data subject objects to the Company processing their personal data for direct marketing purposes, the Company shall cease such processing immediately.

19. Automated Decision-Making

  1. The Company does not use personal data in automated decision-making processes.

20. Personal Data Collected, Held, and Processed

20.1 The following personal data is collected, held, and processed by the Company (for details of data retention, please refer to the Company’s Data Retention Policy):

Type of Data Purpose of Data
Name 4.1b
Address 4.1b
Date of Birth 4.1b & 4.1c
National Insurance Number 4.1b
Driving Licence 4.1b & 4.1c
Telephone Number 4.1b
Mobile Number 4.1b
Next Of Kin Information 4.1d all next of Kins to be provided with Privacy Notice
Passport or Birth Certificate 4.1c
Appraisals Records 4.1b
Disciplinary Records 4.1b
Medical Questionnaires 4.1b
Copy of Contract 4.1b
Copy of Job Offer Letter 4.1b
References 4.1b
Working Time Opt Out Forms 4.1b & 4.1c
Bank Details 4.1b
DSE Assessments 4.1c & 4.1d
Training Records 4.1b & 4.1c
Qualifications 4.1b
Tax Related Notifications 4.1b
Equipment Receipts 4.1b
Holiday Records 4.1b
Absence Records 4.1b
CV 4.1b
Accident Records 4.1b & 4.1c
Photographs 4.1a

21. Data Security – Transferring Personal Data and Communications

The Company shall ensure that the following measures are taken with respect to all communications and other transfers involving personal data:

  1. All emails containing personal data must be encrypted using Microsoft Office 365
  2. All emails containing personal data must be marked “confidential”;
  3. Personal data may be transmitted over secure networks only; transmission over unsecured networks is not permitted in any circumstances;
  4. Personal data may not be transmitted over a wireless network if there is a wired alternative that is reasonably practicable;
  5. Personal data contained in the body of an email, whether sent or received, should be copied from the body of that email and stored securely. The email itself should be deleted. All temporary files associated therewith should also be deleted securely.
  6. Where personal data is to be sent by facsimile transmission the recipient should be informed in advance of the transmission and should be waiting by the fax machine to receive the data;
  7. Where personal data is to be transferred in hardcopy form it should be passed directly to the recipient or sent using Royal Mail delivery service and;
  8. All personal data to be transferred physically, whether in hardcopy form or on removable electronic media shall be transferred in a suitable container marked “confidential”.

22. Data Security – Storage

22.1 The Company shall ensure that the following measures are taken with respect to the storage of personal data:

23. Data Security – Disposal

23.1 When any personal data is to be erased or otherwise disposed of for any reason (including where copies have been made and are no longer needed), it should be securely deleted and disposed of. For further information on the deletion and disposal of personal data, please refer to the Company’s Data Retention Policy.

24. Data Security – Use of Personal Data

24.1 The Company shall ensure that the following measures are taken with respect to the use of personal data:

25. Data Security – IT Security

25.1 The Company shall ensure that the following measures are taken with respect to IT and information security:

26. Organisational Measures

26.1 The Company shall ensure that the following measures are taken with respect to the collection, holding, and processing of personal data:

27. Transferring Personal Data to a Country Outside the EEA

  1. The Company does not transfer (‘transfer’ includes making available remotely) personal data to countries outside of the EEA.

28. Data Breach Notification

29. How we use cookies

A cookie is a small file which asks permission to be placed on your computer’s hard drive. Once you agree, the file is added and the cookie helps analyse web traffic or lets you know when you visit a particular site.

Cookies allow web applications to respond to you as an individual. The web application can tailor its operations to your needs, likes and dislikes by gathering and remembering information about your preferences.

We use traffic log cookies to identify which pages are being used. This helps us analyse data about web page traffic and improve our website in order to tailor it to customer needs. We only use this information for statistical analysis purposes.

If you wish to restrict, block or delete cookies provided by our website you can use your browser to do this.

Overall, cookies help us provide you with a better website, by enabling us to monitor which pages you find useful and which you do not. A cookie in no way gives us access to your computer or any information about you other than the data you choose to share with us.

29.1. Google Analytics and Plausible

We also use two analytical tools, Google Analytics and Plausible. Both of these show us the most trafficked pages, how people found us and the time spent on the site as well as other similar data.

No data which is itself specific to any identifiable user is retained. In addition to standard analytics parameters, we receive data via Google Analytics Advertising.

Features including information about 'Demographics and Interest Reporting' which gives us greater insight into the types of visitors we receive.

As a user you can opt out of this process of collecting traffic log data. To do so please visit the following site which provides a browser add-on that enables a user to opt out. http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

Plausible is a lightweight tool which plays a similar role to Google Analytics. The Plausible data policy can be found here https://plausible.io/data-policy.

29.2 Links to other websites

Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement.

29.3 Marketing information

We do not sell, rent, or otherwise provide personally identifiable information to third-parties without your consent, except only as set out in the ‘Disclosing (Sharing) Your Information’ section below.

From time to time Designs Signage Ltd would like to contact you to tell you more about the offers, services and products available to you from Designs Signage Ltd. Designs Signage Ltd will only contact you if you have consented to this, usually by signing up on our website to our email newsletter.

If, at any time after registering, you would like to change your preference and opt-in or opt-out from receiving communications from us or third-parties you can do this at any time by changing your preferences from the links contained in all of our marketing emails.

29.3 Disclosure (sharing) of your information

We have already described in the ‘Marketing Information’ section of this Policy under what circumstances your personal information may be shared with our commercial and official partners, if you have agreed.

In addition, there are some other reasons why we may disclose your personal information to third parties and these are as follows:

Where we share your personal information with third parties we will take reasonable steps to ensure that it is properly protected and processed in accordance with this Policy.

30. Implementation of Policy

30.1 This Policy shall be deemed effective as of 25th May 2018. No part of this Policy shall have retroactive effect and shall thus apply only to matters occurring on or after this date.

This Policy has been approved and authorised by:

Name: Alex Lee
Position: Marketing and Client Services Manager
Date: 20th September 2022
Due for Review by: 20th September 2023