Right to protest - UK question?

Question

My employer is huge but useless - they have driven me to a point where I physically and mentally can not work for them anymore.  People there are scared they'll lose their jobs if they make 'trouble'.  Problem is there is favouritism, nepotism, fraud, mismanagement and previous assaults, one of which I personally witnessed.

I am so annoyed I have bought a domain which mimics the company name and planned to open it for people to post their thoughts, opinions and experiences on.  I also considered going to the media and marching up and down outside their offices with a good old placard.

I've been told if I do any of the above they will likely sue me for libel/slander/defamation!!

Thoughts please, including all you trolls and keyboard heroes - I hear you chomping at the bit already!!  You want to waste your time and feel 'big' and self-satisfied who am I to stop you, it is a democracy with freedom of speech after all - Oh, wait......

Kit Fang · Answer

Go to the press by all means - they have lawyers who decide whether or not something can be published, and a better idea of what is acceptable. If something is backed up with facts, it's pretty hard to sue for libel.

You say your employer is large, so is what happens only happening in your office/branch? If so, there should be a whistleblowing hotline which will enable you to inform the company's HR, fraud or investigations team about your concerns, and they can investigate as outsiders. If not, an anonymous tip-off to your company's auditors could see further investigations carried out by them, and a report to the police if fraud has taken place would also be a good idea - especially as your local press could then report that someone has accused them of fraud to the police and not be in breach of any libel laws.

I would hold off on using the website until you get some real legal advice about what you can allow to be posted up without the risk of being sued - depending on how you set it up, a review style website could be fine, or it could get you into lots of trouble.

I would also advise leaving the company as soon as possible - no-one wants to work somewhere as awful as you have described, and if anyone finds out you tipped off outsiders or the fraud team, you might find yourself looking for a new job anyway.

Tavy · Answer

Yes they will take you to Court it has happened in the UK, there is no way they are going to allow you to ruin their business.
Former members of a large very well known telephone call centre set up a website such as you are planning.
They were all prosecuted and taken to Court.

Carry on by all means. You do realise that you will then be unemployable by anyone anywhere in the Uk, but there again you will have your 5 minutes of fame.
UK

Trending News

Right to protest - UK question?

2 Answers