contacting a suspended friend at work

PasturesNew

Don't contact the friend. At all.

You can always buy new friends with the wages continuing to come in. Your friend will [a] understand not pay your bills if you're sacked just because you're so nosey you have to find out their version.

molerat

OK, for "what the employer can and can not stipulate out of the workplace" lets up the ante.

Husband and wife work together. Husband is suspended. Staff have been told not to contact suspended employee. ?????

Tigsteroonie

I'm sorry but if I were genuinely friends with the colleague (i.e. our friendship extended outside of the workplace) then I would (1) remain friends with them, (2) ensure that I discussed nothing of consequence, and (3) stand up to my boss and tell them that they do not get to dictate who I have as personal friends.

ipod_killed_the_musicshop

It's up to the suspended colleague to contact you, don't contact them first as that may make life difficult for them if they want to avoid contact. If your colleague contacts you then your employer can go to hell. Can your bosses talk to each other? Yes. Can they stitch your colleague up? Yes. Can they concoct and agree on a pack of lies? Yes. So stuff 'em, if they can talk so can you. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

DandelionPatrol

ohreally wrote: »

Do not make contact.

Your instructions are clear and your friend would be in breach of his suspension terms if he communicated with you.

I am surprised at the above. The European Convention on Human Rights is quite clear

Article 11 – Freedom of assembly and association 1. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
2. No restrictions shall be placed on the exercise of these rights other than such as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. This article shall not prevent the imposition of lawful restrictions on the exercise of these rights by members of the armed forces, of the police or of the administration of the State.

There does not seem to be any exemption relating to employers.

If i were put in the position, I think I would be telling the employer that rather than imposing a ban which would breach my Human Rights, they should put the other employee into protective custody ...

sangie595

It's ever so simple. You do as you are told, as does your friend. That way neither of you can be accused of colluding in anything. If your friend needs you for evidential reasons they can arrange for a conducted contact through the employer. If you have something to offer the employer that clarifies something, do it off your own bat without any question of you being influenced. It has nothing at all to do with loyalty. Your loyalty doesn't need to lie anywhere. It is about doing the best thing for your friend, and that is ensuring that they give the employer no further cause to question their conduct. Being accused of something or suspended does not make someone guilty - but going on to breach the terms of the suspension makes them guilty of breaching the terms of their suspension. If this is really a friend, why would you want to do that to them?

Retrogamer

Those suspension terms seem unfair.

What if you had other arrangements with this friend outside of work.
I.e a weekend away together, helping you redecorate, build a shed, fix the car.
Your children are good friends etc.

Just some examples where it wouldn't be practical not to speak with them.

ben_m_g

No don't contact.
I have made the mistake before, we were specifically told not to. But it was clear that this person was no longer in the business and the reasons where not to be questioned.

When i spoke to him, it was general how are you doing type of conversation, evidently this person (perhaps at a review) mentioned that he had spoken to a number of colleagues (naming me) in an attempt to prove that he was still needed and that the company was not performing without him.

I didn't get a warning, but i certainly got a talking to.

getmore4less

Contact in writing

Are people mad on here.

Polarbeary

molerat wrote: »

OK, for "what the employer can and can not stipulate out of the workplace" lets up the ante.

Husband and wife work together. Husband is suspended. Staff have been told not to contact suspended employee. ?????

I would like to know this too! Or another family member.