Oliver Ryan, MP for Burnley, met with the government chief whip yesterday (10 February) to determine sanctions for his involvement in the group chat. He was subsequently suspended from the Labour Party.
The group chat also included other Labour councillors and officials. Andrew Gwynne, the MP for Gorton and Denton, was suspended from the party and sacked as public health minister after his messages in the chat came to light on Saturday.
Read more: Social media in workplace investigations
The incident raises the question of how HR can implement an effective private communication policy in the workplace.
Ruth Cornish, founder of HR consultancy Amelore, told HR magazine: “HR and business leaders need to consult their workforce to establish expectations around communications outside of the workplace. This includes private email and social media as well as messaging apps like WhatsApp.
“Helping individuals to understand the type of thing that may cause problems is key in a world where increasingly content is freely shared.”
Although it may be difficult to regulate messages sent on a personal device, it is still important for HR leaders to create a code of conduct to ensure safety in the workplace and to investigate any potential misconduct, according to Beverley Sunderland, partner at employment law firm Crossland Employment Solicitors.
She told HR magazine: “Whether it is a work comment or a personal one, any comment that brings an organisation into disrepute is potentially gross misconduct.”
Ryan and Gwynne were part of a group chat titled ‘Trigger Me Timbers’, on their personal devices, according to the Mail on Sunday which uncovered the details.
“Although MPs may argue that such comments are made in their personal time, anything which is said at any time that damages the reputation of their employer could be a fair reason for dismissal,” said Sunderland.
Read more: How can HR deal with social media auditing?
Gwynne reportedly made offensive comments about the Labour MPs Angela Rayner and Diane Abbott, as well as joking that he hoped a 72-year-old woman who complained about her bin service would die before the next local elections.
As social media and messaging apps continue to make it easier for content to be shared and seen, a workplace policy can help employees navigate any issues that may arise, explained Emma Richardson, director of people and development at law firm, Cripps.
"A focus on being kind, avoiding an argument or banter on any device. and using appropriate language, will minimise risk,” Richardson added. "Training, as well as a workplace policy, can help people navigate what is acceptable.”
