Employer Banning Out Of Hours Socialising!

WoodruffsDad

My wife works for a local authority in the sheltered housing field. I have completely separate employment in a commercial field.

The authority has decreed that employees must no longer socialise with residents and are no longer allowed to take part in any of the sheltered housing scheme's social activities, including outings to UK attractions.

My wife and I would very much like to go on one of the visits coming up this summer which has been arranged by the sheltered housing scheme's social committee because it is to a heritage site which we are both deeply interested in. My wife would like to book the day as annual leave and go on the visit with me on a personal basis.

The employer, a council, has told my wife that if she goes on the trip, even though it is in her own time, she will be subject to disciplinary action.

Can an employer legally dictate what an employee can and cannot do during their holidays?

Strider590

I can see why they'd do this..... It prevents favouritism and corruption! BUT it's on the road to fail.

pipscot

WoodruffsDad wrote: »

My wife works for a local authority in the sheltered housing field. I have completely separate employment in a commercial field.

The authority has decreed that employees must no longer socialise with residents and are no longer allowed to take part in any of the sheltered housing scheme's social activities, including outings to UK attractions.

My wife and I would very much like to go on one of the visits coming up this summer which has been arranged by the sheltered housing scheme's social committee because it is to a heritage site which we are both deeply interested in. My wife would like to book the day as annual leave and go on the visit with me on a personal basis.

The employer, a council, has told my wife that if she goes on the trip, even though it is in her own time, she will be subject to disciplinary action.

Can an employer legally dictate what an employee can and cannot do during their holidays?

Yes, I would think they could stipulate such things in their contracts. For example, a person working in education could have a contract saying that they must not socialise with students (including social networking).

WoodruffsDad

BUT is it legally enforceable?

WoodruffsDad

There is nothing in my wife's contract referring to this.

Gleeful

There is nothing to stop you visiting the site on your own, with your own transport, on the same day, is there?

tbourner

Why can't you just go there on a different day on your own?

WoodruffsDad

tbourner wrote: »

Why can't you just go there on a different day on your own?

Because many of the residents who will be going on the visit are our friends. We like to go with friends rather than on our own.

WoodruffsDad

Gleeful wrote: »

There is nothing to stop you visiting the site on your own, with your own transport, on the same day, is there?

Why should we not be able to go with friends who have similar interests to us rather than going on our own?

This is about restricting our freedom of choice!

WoodruffsDad

I should point out here that the council have not only banned my wife (and others who hold similar positions) from going on visits but from ALL social interaction with residents including garden fetes, coffee mornings, barbecues etc.

Where is The Big Society in this?

tbourner

I'm sure they have their reasons, and as frustrating as it is for you both you have to either accept their rules or risk disciplinary action. I doubt very much you'd 'win' a case in court against them, since they undoubtedly have lots of evidence that shows your wife was told of this restriction and you willingly went against it. Is upsetting the working applecart for the sake of your principles really worth it for a day out?