As the days lengthen and better weather approaches everyoneís spirits tend to lift. This is sometimes accompanied by a desire to lighten the mood in the workplace by playing practical jokes on colleagues. However, according to employment law specialists, Empire HR such behaviour may lead to disciplinary warnings and even in some cases dismissal.
Peter-Jon Chalmers, director of Empire HR explains, ìEmployees need to be aware that practical jokes arenít always taken in the way that they are intended and what may be funny to one person can easily cause offence to another. The same is true when it comes to circulating jokes or chain letters on email. These too can cause offence and upset in the office.î
ìThe following example highlights the problem with practical jokes. A female employee installed a risqu image of ëDavid Beckhamí on her colleaguesí computer as a screen saver. Unfortunately for her as the intended recipient of the screensaver was off sick, it was her boss and not her colleague who got an eyeful of the supposed Mr Beckham in all his glory.î Peter-Jon continues, ìWhen she owned up to the prank she was issued with a formal warning.î
Peter-Jon continues, ìEmployers should advise their employees that anyone found to be playing practical jokes in the workplace or circulating jokes or emails which cause offence to others may be subject to the company disciplinary procedure.î
Employees should also be mindful of their company computer policy. ìIn many organisations it is deemed as a breach of procedure to download personal software or hardware onto Company Computers,î says Peter-Jon. ìIn some cases doing so could result in the unfortunate circumstances where a virus takes hold, potentially infecting the system and resulting in operational and financial disruption and impact.î
Empire HR provide commercially focused employment law and HR support service including a telephone advice line, HR Consultancy, employment tribunal insurance and health & safety support for businesses across Scotland. Empire HR can be contacted on 01224 701383 or at:
The jokeís on you
Employees warned about playing practical jokes at work
