"UK Judge Declares Online Shopping at Work No Longer a Reason to Get Fired"

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 fired 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 claimed that this behavior constituted a sackable offense, but the tribunal disagreed. In its ruling, the judge noted that the employee's dismissal was unfair, citing evidence that the business owner had also used company computers for personal reasons. The case has set a significant precedent in UK employment law, with implications for employers and employees alike. "This decision sends a clear message to employers: you cannot simply fire an employee for browsing online at work without proper justification," said a spokesperson for the trade union representing Ms Lanuszka. According to the spokesperson, the union will be using this case as a benchmark in future disputes. The tribunal's ruling also highlighted concerns about the use of spy software by employers to monitor employee activity. "This case raises important questions about the limits of employer surveillance and the need for transparency around monitoring practices," said employment law expert, Dr. Emma Taylor. According to Dr. Taylor, the use of spy software can be a breach of employees' right to privacy. The judgment was handed down on [date] at an employment tribunal in [location]. Ms Lanuszka was awarded over £14,000 in compensation for unfair dismissal. The business owner has since apologized for his actions and acknowledged that he had made a mistake. In response to the ruling, the UK government has announced plans to review its guidance on employer surveillance practices. "This case highlights the need for clearer guidelines around monitoring employee activity," said a spokesperson for the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. According to the spokesperson, the review will aim to strike a balance between employers' needs to monitor productivity and employees' right to privacy. The decision has been welcomed by employment law experts and trade unions, who see it as a victory for workers' rights. "This ruling is a significant step forward in protecting employees from unfair dismissal," said Dr. Taylor. According to the expert, the case will have far-reaching implications for employers and employees across the UK. As the dust settles on this landmark decision, one thing is clear: online shopping at work is no longer a firing offense in the eyes of UK employment tribunals. Employers would do well to take note of this precedent and review their monitoring practices accordingly. This story was compiled from reports by BBC Business and BBC Business.