Can we stop employees from having direct contact?

undercoverirish · 23 March 2018 at 2:35PM

We have an issue with an employee at work that I would like some advice on.

We have advised an employee that she can only have direct contact with her colleagues if they invite her to do so but she is claiming that this isn't fair. Can anyone advise if we can stop colleagues having direct contact?

Comms69 · 23 March 2018 at 2:50PM

What does this mean?

Inside work or outside?

Whats the background.

You need to be clear and open here

elsien · 23 March 2018 at 2:53PM

She's working in solitary isolation?
With other people but bothering them so they can't work?
Work time, lunch breaks, out of work?
Context is everything.

undercoverirish · 23 March 2018 at 2:59PM

When we gave this instruction, we meant at all times whether it be inside or outside of work. The team is remote and we use an open communication platform for transparency so there’s really no need for her to have direct contact with individual members of the team.

The reason we issued this instruction was based on feedback from some of the team that there was some direct communication that they felt was inappropriate.

bugslet · 23 March 2018 at 3:02PM

undercoverirish wrote: »

When we gave this instruction, we meant at all times whether it be inside or outside of work. The team is remote and we use an open communication platform for transparency so there’s really no need for her to have direct contact with individual members of the team.

The reason we issued this instruction was based on feedback from some of the team that there was some direct communication that they felt was inappropriate.

I think it would be better to have a meeting with her and explain what was inappropriate about previous communication and get her to realise and to not repeat in the future.

If you stop one person from communicating when others in the same line of work can do so, I can see a constructive dismissal claim along the line ( not saying that would win depending on the exact circumstances).

undercoverirish · 23 March 2018 at 3:05PM

Unfortunately we have already issued the instruction so already dealing with the backlash which includes legal threats!

marliepanda · 23 March 2018 at 3:05PM

undercoverirish wrote: »

When we gave this instruction, we meant at all times whether it be inside or outside of work. The team is remote and we use an open communication platform for transparency so there’s really no need for her to have direct contact with individual members of the team.

The reason we issued this instruction was based on feedback from some of the team that there was some direct communication that they felt was inappropriate.

I'm assuming by this you mean you have a shared place to talk, for example group email, a group 'chat' or bulletin board but she is contacting work colleagues OUTSIDE of this provided work chat/group/area which is inappropriate.

I would say that is acceptable to ask her not to. Tell her that the only method to contact colleagues is this 'shared service' and if she cannot get in touch with the colleague through that service then it means they are not available. I would also follow that up with a message telling everyone to make sure they access this shared communication place frequently and respond and acknowledge messages.

Comms69 · 23 March 2018 at 3:05PM

undercoverirish wrote: »

When we gave this instruction, we meant at all times whether it be inside or outside of work. The team is remote and we use an open communication platform for transparency so there’s really no need for her to have direct contact with individual members of the team.

The reason we issued this instruction was based on feedback from some of the team that there was some direct communication that they felt was inappropriate.

I'm not sure if you're being deliberately obstructive or not, so I'll ask some clear questions:

1: What was said?
2: How? Email? Phone?
3: Very rarely would you have any authority to dictate what an employee does outside of work (makes you look stupid suggesting this tbh)
4: What is the job? Why have a 'team' if they don't act like a team
5: how long has she worked for you?

If you provide a detailed background you're far more likely to get correct answers.

At present, it's not clear that your instructions have much weight behind them

Ms_Chocaholic · 23 March 2018 at 3:05PM

How is this colleague contacting her employees? Can they block her?

marliepanda · 23 March 2018 at 3:06PM

bugslet wrote: »

I think it would be better to have a meeting with her and explain what was inappropriate about previous communication and get her to realise and to not repeat in the future.

If you stop one person from communicating when others in the same line of work can do so, I can see a constructive dismissal claim along the line ( not saying that would win depending on the exact circumstances).

How can it be constructive dismissal? Everyone is allowed to talk to everyone. Its basically saying 'you can post on the forum so everyone can see, but you cannot go outside of this and PM/call bugslet. if you want to talk to bugslet, you need to contact him on the forum'

No one is stopping anyone from talking to anyone, but they have to do it in the proper place.

marliepanda · 23 March 2018 at 3:08PM

I'm not sure why people are finding this a difficult issue to comprehend but maybe its because I have done this before. At my work we have a work 'Skype' type thing where we post and talk to the team.

I dont text my colleagues.
I dont email my colleagues
I dont private message my colleagues
(and vice versa)

If I want to get Bill to do something, I post it in the Skype.

Can we stop employees from having direct contact?

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