Brace yourself for another outrageous installment of HR:ER, where we dissect jaw-dropping workplace dramas and deliver life-saving advice to save your business from its own emergency. Our HR consultancy faced three more unforgettable crises:

🚗 A stolen company car leads to tense standoffs.
🎙️ 300+ hours of secret recordings shake trust to its core.
📸 A recruitment shocker: a candidate sends a nude selfie.

HR vs. Employee Theft: Employee Steals Company Car

The HR Emergency:

Employee theft costs UK businesses a staggering £183 million annually. When a dismissed employee drove off with a company car and refused to return it, tensions escalated, resulting in trespassing threats from the employee’s family.

We Diagnose:

• What’s the legal route to reclaim company assets without further escalation?
• How does the threat of trespassing impact your rights?
• Is this theft or simply a breach of contract?

Emergency Measures:

• Define strict policies for the return of company property, including deadlines and expectations.
• Clarify other important details such as insurance and liability details upfront.
• Avoid direct confrontation; instead, involve legal counsel or police when necessary.

Pro Tip: A proactive approach, like a structured checklist for exit procedures, can prevent costly disputes for your business.

Caught on Tape: Employee Illegally Records 300+ Hours of Workplace Conversations

The HR Emergency:

An employee alleging workplace bullying secretly recorded hundreds of hours of conversations—even in private spaces like restrooms. Now, they’re uncooperative and accusing leadership of a conspiracy.

We Diagnose:

• Should illegally recorded evidence influence your investigation?
• What are the privacy implications of secret recordings?
• How do you navigate dismissal without opening the door to legal backlash?

Emergency Measures:

• Prohibit unauthorised recordings at work via a clear workplace privacy policy.
• Use only company-approved recording devices in meetings, as this can be easily manipulated and used against your business.
• When the situation becomes untenable, consider SOSR (Some Other Substantial Reason) dismissal—but ensure you follow a meticulous and fair process; otherwise, it won’t hold up in court.

Pro Tip: Your policies are only as good as your people’s understanding of them. Regular training on workplace privacy laws is needed so your workforce is clear about what they can and cannot do.

Failed ID Checks: Candidate Submits Nude Selfie

The HR Emergency:

Imagine this: You’ve finally found the perfect candidate, but during the ID check, they send a…nude selfie. Beyond the shock factor, this raises serious concerns about professionalism and policy compliance.

We Diagnose:

• Does this constitute sexual harassment?
• How do GDPR laws factor into handling such incidents?
• Should you rescind the offer, and if so, how?

Emergency Measures:

• Carry out further screening and references checks, simple but effective recruitment methods, will give you a real sense check of the candidate.
• The stakes are rising with day-one dismissal rights. Solid recruitment and onboarding processes are your best defense against costly mistakes.
• Tools like templates, investigation protocols, and reporting processes to address sexual harassment thoroughly.

Pro tip: Train employees on what constitutes sexual harassment and how to respond with our CPD accredited e-learning course which trains your team in just a few hours, for only £35 per employee. Book a short demo!

Are You Ready To Make Your Workplace Disaster-Free?

As we wrap up this HR:ER round-up, we hope these real-life scenarios and emergency measures save your business from its own emergency. If you’re seeking guidance on any of these topics or HR software that will keep you out of tribunal, book an intro call today!

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review. For your own HR emergency, email us at HRER@hroes.co.uk or reach out directly, and we’ll treat it for you. Don’t forget to subscribe below!