Employment contract and image use: What is my employer allowed to do with my photos?
A photographer takes pictures of employees as part of a company event. One employee poses in the foreground and the picture is used for marketing purposes. A few months later, the employee departs from the company and subsequently requests the removal of the image.
Employee photos only with consent: Observe data protection regulations
According to Article 6(1) of the GDPR, the processing of personal data – which includes photographs – is generally only permissible with a contract and thus the consent of the data subject, or on the basis of another legal ground, such as a legitimate interest. This means that the employer must obtain express consent to the use of employee photos in advance - ideally in writing in a contract (more difficult to withdraw). Otherwise, there must at least be a legitimate interest. In addition, Section 22 KUG states that images may only be published with the consent of the person depicted. An exception applies in high-profile areas such as company celebrations or press appearances. The employee who later requests deletion could invoke their right if the image was used without a sufficient contractual basis.
Wie können Sie sich absichern?
In Arbeitsverträgen sollten klare, DSGVO-konforme Regelungen zur Nutzung von Mitarbeiterfotos festgelegt werden – inklusive Einwilligung, Verwendungszweck, Dauer und Bildrechte. Auch bei bestehenden Verträgen sind separate Vereinbarungen zur Bildnutzung empfehlenswert. Bei Beendigung des Arbeitsverhältnisses ist die weitere Nutzung der Bilder zu prüfen.