"you are not allowed to make contact with other employees" while suspended?

Rescue Blues · 02-12-2024 10:19PM #1

Is it ethical for a suspension policy to say "you are not allowed to make contact with other employees" while suspended? What if I needed another employee as a witness? I don't think this issue would need witnesses, but just curious in general.

I messed up a bit at work recently and am now suspended. There's a bit of a problem though because another co-worker (who's recently been made supervisor) seems to be taking advantage of my misfortune and has added in some fabrication… most likely in the hopes of doing me over. It's not anything that can be proven. We never really got along so maybe she wants me to quit the job. Feeling like sh1t!

Upandout · 03-12-2024 10:38AM

Of course it's ethical

It is to protect employees from manipulation or threats.

rock22 · 06-12-2024 10:06AM

I cannot see how, outside of the workplace, such a directive could be enforced . Or be in any way legal. The right of association is enshrined in law .

zg3409 · 06-12-2024 10:09AM

If someone complains you contacted them, then it's an extra stick for them to beat you with. Be very careful what you say to anyone in writing or not. Companies have ways of getting rid of troublemakers even if they need to lie to do it.

Rescue Blues · 08-12-2024 10:26AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122928194#Comment_122928194

I'm under the impression that it's a common enough thing that companies try. Is it kind of a bluff? It was tried on this guy who successfully won a case against his company.

https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/cases/2023/january/adj-00033405.html

"The letter also notes 'under no circumstances are you permitted to … communicate with either Securitas or personnel from the client premises.' To do would leave [the complainant] open to further disciplinary action. This is entirely against natural justice and fair procedures as it prevented [the complainant] from preparing a full defence to the accusations and organising witnesses to assist him."

Jim2007 · 08-12-2024 11:55AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122928194#Comment_122928194

As is the right not to a have to associate with someone, as is the right to due process and the prevention of tampering with witnesses and one does not trump the other.

rock22 · 08-12-2024 12:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122935959#Comment_122935959

But there is no suggestion that anyone is being forced to associate, nor is there any suggestion of tampering with witnesses.

The right to free association is guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and The Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work by the International Labour Organization. ( and others such as the US bill of rights etc). Any attempt to limit these rights could be actioned by the courts.