Over 50 council staff fired for 'grossly offensive' internet misuse

A number of council workers have been suspended amidst allegations of breaking company policy on social media, according to a report by BBC Radio 5 live.

The 51 staff were based in different councils across the UK, and were dismissed for a variety of offenses, including accessing pornography. According to the Freedom of Information request obtained by the BBC.

Orkney Council claimed that one case of suspension led to a full police investigation after “grossly offensive material” had been found to have been stored on council systems. East Riding of Yorkshire Council admitted that they have suspended two teachers for befriending pupils on Facebook. One of the teachers even attempted to organise an out-of-hours meet up over social network.

The Independent went on to report: “Cheshire West and Chester Council suspended a worker for posting rude messages about the public on Facebook while on duty and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council said one worker had been forced to take six days off after posting an inappropriate photo on an unnamed site.”