Behave or be sacked!

Celebrities who enjoy the high life have not only seen their antics making the headlines but in some cases their dismissal because of their behaviour has often caused more interest. But is the normal employee also subject to these particular terms of employment?

Chris Boyle, specialist employment law solicitor with Preston-based law firm Ricksons, commented that it is hard for a company to control an employee''s behaviour. He said:

Many businesses nowadays are all too aware of the power of the media spotlight. Essentially employees are ambassadors for a company and it is has become commonplace for employees who work for high profile organisations to have written in their contract a clause which states that if their behaviour brings the business into disrepute, then they may be dismissed.

This was probably the case with Angus Deayton and John Leslie. Although we are not privy to what was in their contract, I would say that it is likely that both had such a clause - which may also be the case for many high profile celebrities.

As far as conduct outside of work is concerned, if behaviour is not deemed to be criminal but merely mischievous it would be difficult for an employer to dismiss an employee unless the contract is specific about their conduct.

Chris concluded: At all times fairness must be applied otherwise a dismissal could be deemed unfair. It would seem sensible for companies'' disciplinary policies to be as detailed as possible in respect to employees'' conduct and what the organisation deems as gross misconduct.

Attempting to control employee conduct outside of work in a contract maybe seen to be going too far but if employers have concerns then they should include specific conduct in their contracts of employment especially if the organisation is in the public eye or certain employees conduct is likely to have a detrimental effect on the day to day running of the company.



Ricksons Solicitors was established in 1974 by Peter Rickson and has offices in Preston, Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham. The firm specialises in insurance and commercial litigation acting for blue chip companies and Lloyds Syndicates. The practice now employs 19 partners and 130 staff, providing the full mix of business legal services.