Employee Headshots

[zejoka]

My employers insist that all staff members have a headshot taken for "marketing brochures" and the like.

Do they have a legal right to do this, is there a precedent one could rely on in order to refuse such a request.

[mlane58]

There is nothing illegal about requiring an employee to have a picture taken for marketing brochures. If you refuse to have your picture taken, then don't be surprised if your employer terminates your employment and again that wouldn't be illegal either.

[zejoka]

My question was, "do they have a legal right?" I wasn't looking for speculation as to whether they're doing anything illegal. Taking a photograph isn't illegal in itself, but publishing that photo surely entails some form of talent release / copyright agreement, no?

[mlane58]

Well lets look at the answer I gave you. "There is nothing illegal about what they are doing" and your question " do they have a legal right." If they aren't doing anything illegal, then wouldn't that indicate that they have a legal right? Again if don't want participate, then don't be surprised if they terminate you. Pretty simple.