It looks like the summer is going to be packed full of drama. We’re entering the eye of the credit crunch storm, house prices are continuing their downward spiral and everyone is up in arms over fuel prices. The latest storm brewing in the workplace is the introduction of fingerprint recognition systems designed to eliminate “buddy punching” (where employees falsely clock in and out for their colleagues). This activity can cost organisations thousands of pounds a year and for smaller firms struggling to make a profit, it’s no joke.

The Financial Times reported that several Budgens and Costcutter stores had trialled the technology and were hailing it a success. But while it might hold an obvious appeal for employers, from an employee relations viewpoint it’s not an easy sell. “We don’t trust you” is the message many employees will infer.