Employing temporary workers over the seasonal period might help fix resourcing problems but could put businesses under threat of legal action.
Problems can occur when businesses take on temps but fail to make them sign upto IT policies and procedures.
A poll carried out by FAST Corporate Services shows that just under half of the business community is vulnerable from temporary staff who may abuse IT systems including downloading pornography, materials subject to copyright or spreading defamatory remarks.
Unauthorised software downloads can also mean that directors could face up to ten years behind bars under the principle of vicarious liability.
Geoff Webster, Chief Executive Officer at FAST Corporate Services commented:
“Whilst we recognise that temps are no more likely to abuse the company systems than any other employee, they are no less likely either.
“In order to protect the company and its directors, every employee that has access to company PCs should be made to sign a document outlining policies and procedures like anybody else – it’s as simple as that. The HR department should ensure it works with the IT department to facilitate this.”
One Response
Temps – signing up to company procedures
I am involved in graduate recruitment from an agency perspective. I recently attended an EAA Regs seminar where the employment law specialists suggested that agencies should be discouraging their clients and temporary workers placed with them, from signing agreements to adhere to company procedures. The risk being that the ‘implied’ employment relationship can cause a higher liability risk to our clients and quoted the case of a temp placed within a supermarket.
I agree in principle with this article in that temporary workers should adhere to company policies in the same way as permanent members of staff to avoid, for example, misuse of technology, however are employers leaving themselves open to risks elsewhere?