I have an employee of long standing who recently was arrested for fraud. This is known as on the day the employee was ‘found out’ they ran away and for some reason a relative of theirs called the employees line manager( as a friend) to help find them this was all outside of work hours. Allegedly the employee admitted to their line manager what had happened. The employee then disappeared for one week.The method by which it is alleged that they committed the fraud has a link with work as in their role they are entrusted with taking customers financial details. We are a small company and the rumour mill has been working quickly.I have taken all precautions to ensure that I only deal with known facts and not hearsay. I have advised the individual that I am aware of the alleged issue and that I would not act upon rumour. This individual has been off sick now for over 3 months. They have only contacted us by letter in respect of sick certs, that state stress. I want some advice as to how to proceed. I feel that we must address the absence issue as earlier last year they were called in to discuss their high sickness rate, this had improved before this current period.As a small company we cannot sustain long periods of absenteeism. I feel the time has come to request the employee allow us to talk to their GP.As for the external issue, I feel that until the individual advises us what is going on that all we can do is carry out an internal investigation and make a decision based on this. Again we have not spoken with them and I feel to ask them out right would be incorrect as they may feel it might prejudice their case. Thoughts please!
Stella Smith