Legal issues | Explanation | An example | Data Protection Act 1998 | This data protects people’s information held by organisation from being misused. The information stored by organisations on databases must be obtained lawfully and updated. This act makes regulation on disclosure of people’s information. | Santander protects all the information of their customers as it should be confidential and should not be shared with anybody else outside the organisation for personal uses. In order to this, the staff has their own login password and they lock their screens off when they go away to make sure that no one can access it to their customers details. | Freedom Of Information Act 2000 | This act enables people to get their information from council as it is a part of public authority. However, they could be asked to pay money for the costs if it exceeds appropriate limit. The public authority should tell if they have any information and if they do then they must send it to the person who has made a request within 20 working days. | Santander Bank has a lot of information about their customers when they open up a bank account for them and it’s necessary for them to gather information so that they could offer their customers latest products and services. This act enables their customers to make a request of their information pack that Santander Bank holds. Santander Bank should send the details/ information they have to their customers within 20 working days in the requested format. The request must be in writing either letter or an email and should contain the name of the applicant, address and the description of the information required. | Computer Misuse Act 1990 | This Act enacts against certain activities using computers such hacking someone’s system, misuse others software or gain access to protected files on someone else’s computer. In addition, unauthorised access to computer material, systems and modification of computer material is illegal according to this act. | Santander Bank all the information required from their customers is stored in computers nowadays. According to this act, no other bank is allowed to hack Santander’s computers/ systems to gain access to protected files as it is unauthorised and considered as illegal. In addition, no one is allowed to misuse the software that Santander use as the stored information could be misused and go into wrong hands. | Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1968 | This act protects organisation’s logo, website, design, font and anything that belongs to organisation. For example, the design, logo and the fonts that Harrow College use must be unique and no one else can use it without their consent. | Santander’s logo, design and fonts are private which means that no one else has the right to use their logo, designs. If they want to, they will have to ask for their permission as Santander’s logo is their own identity. Patents allows businesses or people to secure their information therefore the businesses have their own legal identity and if someone wants to gain/ use their identity, they should use copyright sign to show that the particular thing belongs to Santander and not to them. | Ethical issues | Explanation | Example | Codes of practice | A set of written rules which explains how people should behave in a work environment. Every organisation has their own codes of practice which everyone has to follow to make sure that everyone is equal and safe while at work. | In Santander Bank, the staffs are expected to keep the information confidential. The contract that they sign up with their customers should ensure fairness and transparent meaning that the terms and conditions should be clearly stated. For example, they have non-smoking policy which means that no one is allowed to smoke in the premise. Every single staff needs to wear Santander’s uniform when they are at work; it’s easier for customers to recognise the staff with their uniform and it makes the staff look formal/ professional as well. | Email usage | Many firms have a code of practice on the correct use of email. Santander has their own email policy to make sure that all the information is safe and employees are getting on with their work and not distracted. | Santander should use email as a memo where the text is short and the information should get through to their customers quickly. The email could also use as a reminder for example if they have booked an appointment with their customers, they could use their email to send a reminder to their customers. Emails are usually sent for business purposes in the organisation or to reply back to any queries that their customers have. However, the email shouldn’t contain any scam and should not be send for personal purposes as it will be against email usage. | Internet policy | Firms have codes on practice on the use of the internet and also states what internet can be used for. Internet using is usually banned in some of the organisations however where it is necessary, there are certain policies on using internet. | Santander could use internet to check out the recent/ ongoing interest rates. In addition, they could also use internet to show their customers how they can use Mobile Banking Site/ Internet banking. However, Santander’s staffs are not allowed to go on social networking sites unless they want to update Santander’s’ Facebook/ Twitter page to advertise their new products/ services or perhaps to let people know about their recent changes or future developments. As there’s wide use of internet in the whole world, it’s much easier for organisations to keep their customers informed because the information is available to most of the people out there in the world. | Whistle blowing | Whistle blowing explains as the issues raised about a business practice- either within the company or outside the organisation. In another terms, revealing the truth about an organisation. | If someone raises a concern about Santander Bank, it could be related as fraud, crime, danger or any other serious risk that could impact on customers, colleagues, shareholders. The media could also raise a concern or their customers if any information is leaking outside the bank. For example, if somehow any customers finds out their information has been disclosed to unauthorised person, then they could come to Santander or may be publicise this issue to aware other people as well. Likewise, KFC chicken abuse was publicised on Internet to show how badly they treat chickens. Because of that, some people might not go to KFC again who are against animal abuse. | Copyright/ patents | A copyright protects original work; a patent protects an invention. It protects the uniqueness of every single organisation out there in the world who has registered their work with the law to make sure that their information is safe and secure. | Santander’s logo is a patent which means that it’s their own legal identity and could not be used by any other organisation. If anyone do wants to use it then they should ask for Santander’s consent. Having own logo and website is good for the business’s reputation so that their customers can recognise your business just with a logo sign. The organisation should use different type of logo and design/ theme to make itself distinctive from others. If they copy from some other information, it could have a bad impact on their reputation. |