Making a data subject access request

A “data subject access request” is another way of finding out information about the employer’s reasons for taking decisions. All workers have the right to make a request for personal data about them held by the employer, which could include, for example, past appraisals, or email exchanges between managers about an incident involving someone. Employers cannot charge for this kind of request, or refuse the request on the basis that the worker intends to use the information to bring a legal claim against them (Dawson-Damer v Taylor Wessing [2017] EWCA Civ 74).

There is more information about data subject access requests in LRD’s annual employment law guide, Law at Work (www.lrdpublications.org.uk/lawatwork), and on the website of the Information Commissioner.