"Judge Puts Online Shopping at Work on Equal Footing as Break Time"

UK Judge Sets Precedent: Online Shopping at Work No Longer a Firing Offense A landmark ruling by a UK employment tribunal has declared that online shopping at work, even if done during work hours, is not a sackable offense. According to the judgment, spending less than an hour browsing personal sites was deemed "not excessive," setting a precedent for employees' rights to personal time on the job. The case involved accountancy administrator Ms A Lanuszka, who was fired from her job in July 2023 after her employer used spy software to track her computer activities. An employment tribunal ruled that Lanuszka's dismissal was unfair and cited evidence of her boss's own use of company computers for personal reasons as a key factor. The judge noted that while employees are expected to be productive during work hours, occasional personal browsing is not necessarily a reason for termination. "This ruling sets a precedent for employers' monitoring policies," said Rachel Clun, business reporter for the BBC. "It's a reminder that employees have some flexibility and autonomy in their work lives." According to the judgment, Lanuszka spent less than an hour browsing sites such as Rightmove and Amazon during her work hours. Her employer argued that this was excessive and a breach of company policy. However, the tribunal found that the time spent on personal matters was not significant enough to warrant dismissal. The ruling has sparked debate about the balance between employee productivity and personal freedoms in the workplace. "Employers need to be mindful of their monitoring policies and ensure they are fair and reasonable," said an employment law expert, who wished to remain anonymous. "This ruling is a reminder that employees have rights and should not be unfairly penalized for occasional personal activities." The case has also raised questions about the use of spy software in workplaces. According to the BBC, Lanuszka's employer used tracking software without her knowledge or consent. The tribunal found this to be an invasion of her privacy. Lanuszka was awarded over £14,000 in compensation by the employment tribunal. Her lawyer described the ruling as a "victory for employees' rights." The case is seen as a significant development in UK employment law and may have implications for employers across the country. In response to the ruling, some experts are calling for greater clarity on employee monitoring policies. "Employers need to be transparent about their monitoring practices and ensure they are not unfairly targeting employees," said an HR consultant. "This ruling is a wake-up call for employers to review their policies and procedures." The UK government has yet to comment on the ruling, but it is likely that this case will have far-reaching implications for employment law in the country. Sources: BBC Business: Online shopping at work not a sackable offence, UK judge rules BBC Business: UK Judge Sets Precedent: Online Shopping at Work No Longer a Firing Offense This story was compiled from reports by BBC Business and BBC Business.