FIRMS are snooping on their workers by monitoring telephone calls and e-mails and even checking on toilet breaks because of a lack of privacy rights, according to a new report today.

The TUC said new technologies meant managers could monitor their staff "constantly and secretly", which was bad for productivity and workers' health.

Hidden cameras, CCTV, smart cards and tracking devices were all being used to monitor workers, said the TUC.

"Big Brother bosses do not get the best out of employees - staff who are being snooped on are less productive and less healthy (due to stress)," said a TUC spokesman.

"There has been an unregulated boom in the intrusive and ineffective drug, drink and health testing of employees."

Testing of workers for drink or drugs should only be done when "absolutely necessary" said the TUC.

Dorset Chamber of Commerce & Industry chief executive Tony Bridger said: "It is always difficult for an employer when faced with employees who do not toe the line.

"Also in this day and age it is so easy for the recalcitrant employee to while away the time with the various electronic gizmos and access to the internet that are now so freely available paid for and made available by the employer.

"Using a system like Investors in People, you can work with your employees to ensure that they feel valued. The policing - if this is not a too heavy a word - is then actually carried out by all the staff ."