In the last year, the number of disciplinary cases for internet and e-mail abuse outstripped those for dishonesty, violence and health & safety breaches put together, according to a new survey.
The study, conducted by legal experts KLegal and Personnel Today magazine, reveals that, of the 212 firms questioned, there had been 358 cases for e-mail or internet related offences in the last 12 months. The majority of these were related to the sending of pornographic e-mails, with 40% of those involved in disciplinary cases for this type of offence dismissed as a result. In comparison, cases related to dishonesty resulted in dismissal almost 100% of the time, with violence resulting in dismissal 74% of the time.
The research also finds that more companies are starting to monitor employee useage of e-mail and the internet – 20% of those questioned said they were now doing so, compared to 11% of those surveyed last year. Although it is illegal not to notify staff that monitoring is taking place, nearly 10% of those questioned said they had not done so.
More details about the findings of the study can be found at
