A Spine-Chilling Insight into HR Challenges
As Halloween approaches, it’s time to delve into the eerie realities of workplace culture. With the recent introduction of new laws requiring employers to prevent sexual harassment and upcoming changes in the Employment Rights Bill, the pressure on HR professionals has never been greater. Kate Palmer, Employment Services Director at Peninsula, shares her top 10 HR horror stories from calls received across the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand this year, illustrating the strange and often shocking challenges faced in the workplace.
1. The Devil Inside
In an unsettling case, an employee under investigation for multiple workplace issues claimed that the spirit world dictated their behaviour. Refusing to attend a scheduled doctor’s appointment, the employee insisted on being accompanied by a priest to any workplace meetings, despite company policy only allowing for colleagues or union representatives. The company was left at a loss about how to accommodate this bizarre request.
2. Clowning Around
A practical joke gone wrong led to serious consequences when colleagues, aware of an employee’s fear of clowns, decided to frighten them in the canteen. The employee, upon discovering a colleague in a clown mask hiding under their desk, screamed and ran to the bathroom, ultimately leading to stress leave. This incident prompted a workplace investigation into the actions of the pranksters.
3. Hammer Horror
When an employee’s spouse erupted in a violent outburst, brandishing a hammer and smashing car windows in the company parking lot, questions arose about the employer’s liability for repair costs. The incident raised concerns about whether the employee could face disciplinary action for bringing personal issues into the workplace.
4. Slasher Shocker
A customer turned violent when asked to leave a store, returning with a knife to rob the establishment. The employee who confronted the customer was stabbed but survived, requiring extended medical leave. The incident left other employees traumatized, with several needing to take sick leave due to stress.
5. Animal Farm
A peculiar workplace investigation ensued when a farmer suspected an employee of abusing farm animals. After a broken arm incident, it was revealed that the employee had been riding the animals and even slapped a cow for its tone. The employee was promptly dismissed.
6. Boo-berry Pie
In an unusual twist, a bakery owner found that staff refused to work the early shift alone due to claims of a poltergeist in the building. To ease employee fears, the owner arranged for a priest to bless the premises and ensured that all lone-working risk assessments were completed.
7. Pumpkin to Talk About
An employee was dismissed for taking excessively long breaks. When they claimed unfair dismissal, alleging others did the same, an investigation revealed widespread time fraud, leading to multiple dismissals across the company.
8. Snakes Alive!
An employee called in sick after their pet python escaped, worrying about the safety of their other pets. They also inquired about the company’s bereavement policy in case the snake harmed another animal.
9. Things That Go Bump in the Night
When two married employees were discovered having an affair, workplace dynamics shifted dramatically. The discovery, made during the female employee’s maternity leave, prompted the company owner to consider immediate disciplinary action against the male employee.
10. Like a Prayer
Staff members were baffled when a coworker erected a religious shrine at work. Despite requests to remove it, the employee refused, citing religious grounds, and began preaching throughout the workplace, leading to concerns that they were attempting to recruit colleagues into a cult.
