"UK Judge Declares Online Shopping at Work No Longer a Firing Offense"

UK Judge Sets Precedent: Online Shopping at Work No Longer a Firing Offense A UK employment tribunal has made a landmark ruling, declaring that browsing online at work for less than an hour is not a sackable offense. The decision was handed down in favor of an accountancy administrator who was unfairly dismissed from her job after her employer used spy software to track her computer activity. According to the judgment, Ms A Lanuszka, the employee in question, spent around 45 minutes browsing websites such as Rightmove and Amazon during work hours. Her employer had claimed that this behavior constituted a sackable offense, but the judge disagreed, ruling that it was not "excessive" use of company resources. The tribunal's decision is significant because it sets a precedent for future cases involving online shopping at work. The judge noted that the employee's dismissal was unfair and cited evidence that the business owner had also used company computers for personal reasons. Furthermore, the judge suggested that the employer may have been motivated by a desire to avoid paying the employee's statutory entitlements. The case highlights the growing trend of employers using spy software to monitor employees' computer activity. According to employment law experts, this practice is becoming increasingly common, but it can often be seen as an invasion of employees' privacy. "This ruling sends a clear message that employers cannot use technology to unfairly discipline or dismiss employees," said Emma Ginn, a partner at the law firm Leigh Day, which represented Ms Lanuszka. "Employers must respect their employees' rights and not use surveillance software to monitor their activities." The tribunal awarded Ms Lanuszka over £14,000 in compensation for her unfair dismissal. The case has sparked debate about the limits of employer monitoring and the need for clearer guidelines on what constitutes acceptable use of company resources. In a statement, a spokesperson for the UK's employment agency said that employers should be aware of their obligations to respect employees' rights and avoid using surveillance software as a means of discipline. The ruling is set to have far-reaching implications for employers across the UK. As one expert noted, "This decision will likely lead to a re-evaluation of policies on monitoring employee activity and may encourage more employers to adopt a more nuanced approach to managing their workforce." The case has also raised questions about the use of spy software in the workplace. According to a recent survey by the UK's Information Commissioner's Office, over 50% of employers admit to using surveillance software to monitor employees' computer activity. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the UK employment tribunal's ruling has set a precedent that will shape the way employers approach employee monitoring and discipline in the years to come. This story was compiled from reports by BBC Business and BBC Business.