Amid Covid-19, participation in WhatsApp group chats has soared. This has included work colleagues using the social messaging platform to keep up morale and a sense of team spirit in the absence of face-to-face contact.
While such team chats may have started out as a forum for sharing cartoons and DIY haircuts, some employers have regrettably discovered that WhatsApp can be a fertile ground for ‘banter’ that borders on or blatantly amounts to harassment and bullying.
What are your responsibilities and potential liabilities as an employer if a group of employees set up a WhatsApp group on their personal mobiles and make derogatory comments about, for example, a colleague’s disability, religion or sexual orientation? Can and should you discipline them? Can the subject of the comments bring a discrimination claim against you?
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here