Halloween: Workplace Nightmares Unveiled

HR and health & safety horror stories

Halloween is the time to share spine-chilling tales that will send shivers down your spine. But these stories aren’t the typical ghosts; they are the real-life nightmares that HR and health & safety professionals encounter. While the season of Halloween is known for costumes and candy, true horror stories can often be found in the workplace. Employers must be prepared to deal with such situations, no matter how frightening they may be.
 

In this article, we delve into some of the most bone-chilling calls received by our advisors and their expert advice on how to navigate these unsettling scenarios.

1. The Jekyll and Hyde: The Model Employee with Another Side.

An employee who had been with the company for 9 years, with a great track record and no red flags, told his employer he needed to leave for the day. Which had turned into 7 months. This employee was found guilty of 2 sexual assault cases, which the employee had no idea about. After spending 7 months in jail, the employee wanted to return to work.

Advice: Since the employee was absent for 7 months with no explanation, communication, or expected return to work date, the employer had a good case for job abandonment. When an employer claims job abandonment, the employee is effectively terminated for just cause and is not entitled to notice of termination or pay in-lieu.

Unfortunately, employers are not entitled to know or govern what employees do outside of work on their own time. This can be scary! Sometimes our best employees are not who we think they are, but having a consistent process for dealing with prolonged leaves can help navigate these spooky situations.

2. Love Turned Deadly.

An employee hadn’t shown up to work for a few days and didn’t even bother contacting his employer. To the employer's surprise, from watching the news had found out that the employee had stabbed his wife, son, and himself. He was arrested and wants to return to work before his trial if granted bail.

Advice: If the employee is physically and mentally able to return to work, there are obvious safety concerns. What if he intentionally injures himself at work? Or worse, what if he intentionally injures another employee?

At the end of the day, all employers have a duty under the law to create and maintain a safe work environment for their employees. In this case, the employer is doing their best to promote a healthy and safe workplace for its existing staff by preventing this individual from returning to work for the time being.

3. Stealing More Than Candy.

After 4 years with the company, an employee who had full control of the company expenses with no oversight has been stealing company money. It was discovered that this employee has been expensing personal items such as a new stove, phone, and personal car maintenance.

Advice: It’s important for employers to have special processes in place for staff who handle money. Employers should utilize background checks in their hiring process and make sure that more than one employee has control and oversight over payments received by the business. By ensuring multiple employees are involved at each stage of the money-handling process, employers can establish accountability with minimal oversight.

These real-life stories serve as a clear reminder that HR and health & safety should never be taken lightly. The consequences of negligence in these areas can be far more spine-chilling than any Halloween story. As employers navigate the countless challenges that can arise in the workplace, it’s clear that vigilance, consistent processes, and a commitment to employee well-being are crucial. In the spirit of Halloween, let these tales serve as cautionary tales for employers to maintain a safe, secure, and ethnically sound working environment year-round.

Author Bio

Kiljon Shukullari is HR Advice Manager at Peninsula Canada.