Frequently, employees who are accused of inappropriate behaviour on social media sites will blame someone else. “I didn’t write that” may sometimes seem like a convenient passing of the buck, but online identity theft – however temporary – is very real and can have serious consequences. You may not be familiar with such vulgar words … Continue reading
What should an employer do if a story relating to one of its employees is made public through the press? An article in the London Evening Standard recently exposed a Transport for London worker who had made racist and anti-Muslim comments on his Facebook page. The story, investigated by the Standard following a tip-off, details a number … Continue reading
The Metro has reported that three civil servants have been dismissed from the Home Office following allegations they breached social media guidelines. Information obtained through a Freedom of Information request has revealed that the dismissals followed postings on Facebook, MySpace and Bebo that brought the government department into disrepute, in breach of an internal social media … Continue reading
Michael Gove may have been aware of a campaign of online bullying by members of his team, reports the Guardian. Two special advisors are accused of bullying journalists and political opponents from an anonymous twitter account. New information suggests that the Education Secretary misled Parliament over his knowledge of the alleged transgressions and breach of … Continue reading
When will an employer’s interference with an employee’s right to manifest their religion and beliefs be considered proportionate? Kevin Poulter considers the issue raised by the European Court of Human Rights’ (ECtHR) judgment in Eweida v United Kingdom. Eweida v United Kingdom ((Application Nos 48420/10, 59842/10, 51671/10 and 36516/10) [2013] ECHR 48420/10, [2013] All ER … Continue reading
In December 2012, Keir Starmer, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) set out interim guidelines for the prosecution of people who misuse social media, but are these suitable for use in the workplace? As a result of an increase in the number of allegations the Crown Prosecution Service has had to deal with – about … Continue reading
The ‘social media police’ are out in force in the civil service The Guardian recently reported that 116 civil servants in the Department for Work and Pensions have been disciplined since 2009 for their use of social media at work, of which 11 have been dismissed. The DWP has stated that access to social media … Continue reading
Kevin Poulter 