The work email minefield

By Taylors Solicitors

20 May 2014

We live in an ever more complicated world and the lines between our professional and private lives can easily become blurred. So what happens when an employee's conduct outside of work starts to impact upon their position within work?

By Ashna Chada, Taylors Solicitors.

Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the Premier League, allegedly made sexist comments in private email exchanges with a lawyer friend, which were subsequently leaked to the Sunday Mirror newspaper. It has been suggested that Mr Scudamore could be charged under the rules of the Football Association (FA) and the Premier League’s own Anti-Discrimination Policy.

Sports Minister, Helen Grant, described the content of the emails as "unacceptable and very disappointing", while the Shadow Minister for Sport, Clive Efford, has written to the Premier League asking why no action has been taken against Scudamore and they are due to meet next week to decide whether he should face further action.

Mr Scudamore has emphasised that the emails were private but has apologised for his “error of judgement”. In his statement, Scudamore said the comments were made in "private emails exchanged between colleagues and friends of many years. They were received from and sent to my private and confidential email address, a temporary employee, who was with the organisation for only a matter of weeks, should not have accessed and was under no instruction to do so”.

But in the world of social media and email, can there be a difference between public and private?

Current UK employment law talks only of conduct, rather than conduct at work. There may be circumstances in which an employer would be entitled to challenge employees over their conduct outside the workplace if it is capable of adversely impacting the business or employment relationship in some way.

A good example of this was the well known case of Gosden –v- Lifeline (2008). Taylors’ Head of Employment, Will Clayton, advised Lifeline throughout in the case that was considered at the time to break new ground; it is still regarded as a good law, relevant to the ever-growing digital world and social media platforms.

Mr Gosden, an employee of the national charity, Lifeline Project, sent an offensive email from his home computer to that of a colleague, Mr Yates, who worked for HM Prison Service (HMPS). The email contained racist and sexist content and encouraged the recipient to pass it on to others. Mr Yates forwarded the e-mail on to the work computer of a colleague at the prison at which he worked and HMPS then became aware of the email and that it had originated from a Lifeline employee. The content of Mr Gosden’s email was entirely contrary to Lifeline’s charitable objectives and long standing commitment to equality.

Lifeline dismissed Mr Gosden for his actions as they were regarded as gross misconduct and conduct capable of bringing Lifeline into disrepute with HMPS.

The Employment Tribunal concluded that the decision to dismiss Mr Gosden was entirely fair and within the range of reasonable responses open to Lifeline. The potential damage to Lifeline's reputation could have been considerable. The Tribunal specifically found that Mr Gosden was not entitled to expect privacy in his email given, not least, that it was part of a chain email that he endorsed and contributed to by passing on to others with a request that they did the same.

The moral of this story is that people have little power or control over where their ‘private’ emails may end up. Mr Gosden may not have intended the email to end up within HMPS but that did not prevent Lifeline for holding him responsible.

Despite only being an Employment Tribunal decision, this case (and other that have followed it) provide guidance on the approach that Tribunals may take in such cases. No doubt we will see many more of these types of cases in future and it is worth reviewing your disciplinary procedures and codes, as well as equal opportunity policies, in order to consider whether any amendments are required to address these sorts of situation in your business.  

Latest news

1

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London. The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and the Rt Hon Steve Reed (L-R Front Row) David Hammond, and Daniel Knowles

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London.

30 Apr 2025

2

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield Edenfield housing development

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield

29 Apr 2025

3

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens Dovestone Gardens launch

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens

29 Apr 2025

4

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success Louise Kirby

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success

29 Apr 2025

5

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire Lidl

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire

29 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase
13421_research_knowledge_exchange_2025_600x300.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
07 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships
30478 Skills Bootcamp open day setting.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin