An engineering employers' group is urging member companies to get in touch if bosses have problems over new data protection laws.

Ian Hughes, director of the Engineering Employers' Federation Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "We have told member companies to contact us immediately if any concerns arise."

The organisation has also produced a manual on the Data Protection Act which gives the lowdown on its impact.

Mr Hughes said the new laws would mean that all information on employees, whether stored on computer or in older manual filing systems, were now covered by the data protection legislation.

He said the latest round of legislation came into force last month and extended to older, manual filing systems as well as the computerised files covered in earlier laws.

He said: "The Act applies to all types of personal data and, although it is principally directed towards information such as marketing databases and individuals' credit status, it will also cover most employment records."

The new legislation phases in coverage of older manual filing systems but all of these will be covered before the end of 2001.

"Employers should take great care that their records are in order, and that the information held in them is appropriate, relevant and accurate.

"Individuals can sue for damage suffered as a result of an employer's breach, and, in some circumstances, criminal sanctions may apply," he said.

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