Privacy and trust

Our principles

• GPS only at check-in and check-out. Sprux records a phone's location at two moments: when the cleaner checks in at a site and when they check out. There's no background tracking between those moments, after the shift or on days off.
• A clear notice for cleaners. Before a cleaner uses Sprux, they see a plain notice that explains what's recorded, why, who can see it and how to ask for their own information.
• Photos of the work, never people. Cleaners are guided to photograph the space they cleaned. Not people, not screens, not paperwork.
• Kept only as long as needed. Time records need to be kept for as long as NZ employment law requires (wage and time records are kept for 6 years). Other data shouldn't be kept longer than it's needed.
• Your data is yours. We don't sell data and we don't use your cleaners' information for advertising.

How this lines up with the Privacy Act 2020

The Privacy Act 2020 sets out 13 information privacy principles. A few matter most for location and photos at work:

• Collect only what's needed. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner says employers can only collect information they need for a lawful purpose, and not just because they can. Location at check-in and check-out is enough to show a cleaner was on site.
• Be open about it. People should know what's collected and why. That's why cleaners see a notice up front, and why we suggest you add it to your workplace policy.
• Not unreasonably intrusive. All-day tracking of staff is far more intrusive than two location points. We think two is the right number for cleaning.
• Access and correction. Cleaners can ask to see the information held about them.
• Keep it safe. Data is held in secure cloud hosting, encrypted in transit, with access limited to people in your company who have a login.

What we suggest you do as an employer

• Tell your team before you start using Sprux and explain why.
• Add a short section to your workplace policy covering check-in location and work photos. Employment New Zealand suggests consulting staff before monitoring at work.
• Only use the records for what you told staff they're for.

This page is general information about how Sprux is designed, not legal advice. For advice on your own obligations, talk to an employment or privacy lawyer, or see the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.

Website privacy is covered in our privacy policy. The app's own privacy terms will be published at launch. Questions? Email hello@getsprux.com.

Sources

• Office of the Privacy Commissioner: What information is my employer entitled to collect while I'm working?
• Office of the Privacy Commissioner: Is my employer allowed to use GPS in work vehicles?
• Employment New Zealand: Employee privacy
• Employment New Zealand: Record-keeping