Employees after hours activities while at an employee conference

36019

We recently received a call regarding the personal behavior of one of our employees that was sent to an employer paid conference. This caller was demanding that a notation be made in the affected employees personnel file about our employees behavior that occured after normal scheduled business hours. I am uncertain whether this would be legal, and secondly if it was ethical. Should the employee be approached directly on the situation, or should we say nothing?

ACU Frank

We make it quite clear that any employee, while attending a function as a representative of the employer, is expected to behave in a professional manner. I would treat this complaint the same way I would treat a customer complaint... an investigation that would include an interview with the employee, etc. However, I wouldn't let the complainant dictate what goes in the employee's file. If you feel confident that the complaint is unwarranted, treat it as you would an unwarranted customer complaint.