HR Heartbeat: Advice to keep staff safe during unrest, employee caught napping on the job, and…

Welcome to HR Heartbeat, where we give you a rundown of the week’s top employment law stories. Stay on the pulse of current trends impacting your business, plus get up-to-the-minute commentaries on all things HR and legal.

How do I keep my staff safe during periods of protest, riot, or other unrest?

Following the shocking events in Southport and the recent wave of violent unrest across the UK, business owners understandably have concerns. Mainly how to keep their staff safe, what happens if an employee is involved in the riots, and what happens if work premises are forced to close because of the damage.

Remember, so far as it’s reasonably practical, you have a duty of care to protect your employees from possible harm at work. Here are some key considerations for employers:

• Conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential threats to your team
• Implement security measures like CCTV and alarm systems to respond to incidents
• Maintain clear lines of communication over email, be sympathetic to concerns
• Pay attention to vulnerable groups who may be targeted during unrest
• Keep up to date with the latest developments and improve safety measures if necessary

If you have concerns, read more guidance here: How to Keep Staff Safe During Protests, Riots or Other Unrest.

A case of never-ending sick leave

A woman who had been off sick for over four years due to a condition causing insomnia and brain fog has lost her claim for unfair dismissal. Despite her long absence and ongoing health issues, the tribunal found her dismissal was justified and she had no prospect of returning to work.

Her employer had made regular contact offering support, but she stated this had a negative impact on her recovery. After her sick pay was cut and her symptoms were deemed inconsistent with incapacity, her employment was terminated. The tribunal ruled that the dismissal was due to her prolonged absence, not her disability.

Employers should maintain clear communication and consistent support for employees on long-term sick leave, while also being prepared to make difficult decisions if there’s no prospect of return.

For more information on this topic, ask our super-fast AI tool Brainbox: ‘Can I dismiss someone on sick leave?’

Caught napping on the job

A police officer who pretended to work from home by holding down a laptop key whilst napping has been found guilty of gross misconduct.

The officer, who resigned from Leicestershire Police, was found to be using “work avoidance tactics” on 30 occasions, leading to half of his working days being lost.

An internal investigation revealed his actions, including keeping his laptop volume high to wake him for calls. The hearing concluded that he would have been dismissed without notice if still employed and placed him on the police barred list.

If you catch an employee napping on the job it’s important to handle the situation with care…

Monitoring employees when working from home may feel like an overstep but, using a time-keeping app like Blip can be a useful and quick tool for seeing who’s on shift, who’s on a break, and who’s missing in action…