I think my staff are having sex in the office – Help!

Dear Aunty B,

The couple in New Zealand who were caught on camera having sex in the office has really made me think about what’s going on at my own business.

I’m convinced two of my staff are having an affair and have been having sex at the office. One other staff member says she caught them in a very compromising position.

I find this disgusting and I don’t want this sort of thing happening – can I fire them? We don’t have any rule that says no sex in the office – I just assumed I wouldn’t have to spell that one out.

James,

Canberra

Dear James,

What is the world coming to? Sex romps in the office are s a pretty clear case of misconduct. There’s no need to have specifically banned sex in the office – it’s pretty clear that this is not appropriate workplace behavior even after hours. Do you have a code of conduct for your business that states employees should behave in a way that doesn’t bring disrepute to your business?

The other problem here is that you don’t really have clear evidence that this couple is having sex. Even if there was clear evidence (like the camera footage in the recent case of the New Zealand couple) these allegations still have to be put to your employees before you act to dismiss them. You have to follow a fair procedure first before you move to fire someone no matter how disgusting you think their behavior is.

Be Smart,

Your Aunty B