Keep employee rights in mind when considering suspension

Press coverage of organisational scandals may be prompted by, or may lead to calls for, the suspension of those implicated in the events. Once an employee is suspended, the risk of highly damaging rumour, speculation and external publicity is often increased, especially where a lengthy investigation is necessary. The employer’s ability to manage the wider context of an investigation, for example, in relation to allegations of fraud or corrupt practices, can be seriously damaged if suspension prejudices the confidentiality of the issue.