Businesses told to have safeguards in place to deal with ‘rogue’ employees

Carey Olsen’s Elaine Gray said that businesses had to have effective policies and procedures in place, which they actively live by, to stop the potential fallout from bad behaviour in the workplace.

‘There are certain steps and measures as an employer that you can readily take to limit the potential damage which might otherwise arise from the actions of a rogue employee,’ said Advocate Gray, the head of Carey Olsen’s dispute resolution and litigation practice in Guernsey.

Speaking at the annual Carey Olsen and GTA University Centre employment law conference, she added: ‘For example, if you have somebody in your organisation who has unfettered access to all sensitive information, including that of your clients and staff, you have to ask yourself whether that is completely necessary.

‘You need safeguards in place to protect your company’s assets, information and reputation. Essentially, don’t let your organisation make it easy for rogue employees to inflict damage.’

The event, which was attended by nearly 100 representatives from local businesses, included presentations from the Carey Olsen employment team on employment and regulatory issues – including from Carly Parrott.

‘The increased digitalistation that we are experiencing in all walks of life has made it easier to disseminate information to a wide audience and that is no different in the workplace,’ she said.

‘If you have a rogue employee they can inflict severe damage to your organisation very quickly.’

The employment law specialist added that whilst employees are an organisation’s greatest asset, they were also an organisation’s greatest risk because of their activities as employees – including the plethora of information to which they have access combined with the relationships that they develop internally and externally.

The Carey Olsen employment team at the conference also included Huw Thomas, Lois Madden, Steven Balmer and Tim Molton.