Reports say that 31% of US workers have witnessed workplace misconduct and only half of them reported it to the authorities. One essential duty of an employer is to make the workplace safe and welcoming for people of all genders, ages, religions, sexuality, race, caste, and nationality. However, many employees do not care about the unethical behavior happening in their own offices.
If you have faced workplace misconduct and could not get any help from your employee, you are not alone. It is normal to feel helpless when the authorities refuse to help you. In such times, hiring an Essex county employment attorney can help you get justice. But before filing a case, it is essential to know what constitutes workplace misconduct.
What Is Workplace Misconduct?
Workplace misconduct refers to any behavior among employees that goes against the code of conduct. It is a set of rules that state how employees behave in the workplace.
For the protection of employees and to preserve the reputation of the company, unethical, unprofessional, and criminal behavior are often restricted in the workplace setting. Additionally, any activity that can damage company property and compromise the well-being of the employees is prohibited.
Types Of Workplace Misconduct
There are two types of workplace misconduct: minor and gross misconduct.
Minor misconduct, as suggested by the name, involves a lesser punishment, and the consequences are not major. It occurs when an employee misbehaves in the workplace; however, their behavior may not be illegal and criminal. This may include the following.
- Poor task performance
- Absence from work
- Failure to follow directions
- Not following safety protocols
- Accidentally leaking confidential information about the company
- Disruption of other employees
- Unauthorized use of property
- Poor productivity
Gross misconduct is a more severe form of misconduct and may involve unacceptable and criminal behavior. These kinds of misconduct permanently damage the relationships between people and are often irreparable. These behaviors can call for immediate suspension or termination or even imprisonment in some cases.
Examples of gross misconduct are as follows.
- Sexual harassment
- Breach of code of conduct
- Consuming alcohol or drugs in the workplace
- Smoking
- Abusing others and endangering the lives of co-workers
- Supplying illegal drugs to co-workers
- Fraud, for example, using someone else’s identity to get the job
- Indecent or immoral behavior
- Stealing money or other properties from work
How To Get Help
When cases of misconduct occur, the first thing you should do is inform your employer. If they do not help, you can hire a good employment attorney. The attorney can help you take action against your co-worker as well as your employer.
