Safeguarding Employee Wellbeing: The Importance of HR Compliance in Electronic Communications

Ensuring the wellbeing of employees has become a crucial responsibility for organisations. A positive and inclusive work culture not only fosters productivity but also enhances employee satisfaction and retention. However, issues such as profanity, discrimination, and bullying can pose significant risks to both individuals and organisations. As technology continues to shape our communication landscape, it is vital to extend legal protections, such as The Equality Act 2010, to electronic communication channels to safeguard employee wellbeing in the workplace. In this article, I explore the negative consequences of workplace misconduct, particularly in the context of electronic communications, and emphasise the importance of proactive HR compliance to prevent workplace misconduct and safeguard employee wellbeing.

The Equality Act 2010: A Brief Overview

The Equality Act 2010 is a comprehensive piece of legislation in the UK that safeguards individuals against discrimination and promotes equality in various areas, including employment. It prohibits unfair treatment based on protected characteristics such as age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. The act places a legal obligation on employers to provide a safe and inclusive work environment for all employees.

Unfortunately, despite legal provisions, workplace misconduct continues to be a prevalent issue. Recent statistics from UK Employment Tribunals reveal the magnitude of the problem. In 2022, there were over 45,000 claims filed, with 200 discrimination cases where compensation was awarded—the maximum amount awarded (￡228,000) was in the Race Discrimination jurisdiction. Unfortunately, electronic communication channels, such as email and instant messaging applications, were increasingly implicated in these cases.

When Things Go Wrong: Recent Examples of Unacceptable Conduct in the Workplace

To highlight the importance of addressing workplace misconduct, let’s examine a couple of recent examples. In one case, a prominent company faced allegations of discrimination when an employee was subjected to derogatory comments about their race via email. The impact on the employee's wellbeing was severe, leading to increased stress and reduced job satisfaction.

In another instance, a fintech company’s CEO belittled employees which, to make things worse, happened during a period of redundancies. The hostile environment created by these actions had a detrimental effect on employee morale and productivity and tarnished the company’s reputation, as emails were leaked to the press.

There are various studies and statistics on workplace bullying and most indicate that?close to a third of people have been the victims of workplace bullying in the UK. Moreover, studies on discrimination show that?ethnic discrimination in the workplace alone costs the UK ￡40 billion annually. Other studies claim that the overall cost of discrimination?the cost is much higher at ￡127bn a year. One thing is clear: employee wellbeing matters and workplace misconduct hurts both employees and the bottom line and perpetuates social issues.

In today’s context, it’s important to also look at the new means of (electronic) communication. Electronic communications play a vital role in modern workplaces, providing efficient and convenient means of interaction. However, the ease and speed of such platforms can also amplify negative behaviours, spreading harmful content swiftly and causing significant harm to individuals. To prevent workplace misconduct and safeguard employee wellbeing proactively, it is imperative for organisations to implement proactive controls on electronic communication channels.

Beyond Traditional HR compliance: Real-time Prevention through Education and Training

Organisations must prioritise ongoing HR compliance to mitigate the risks associated with workplace misconduct, including electronic communications. Creating and enforcing strict policies, conducting regular training, monitoring communications, providing channels for reporting concerns, and promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity, are key measures whereby employers can address potential issues. In the digital era, however, traditional methods of monitoring employee conduct may fall short.

But there is a better way that goes beyond traditional compliance training and proactively prevents workplace misconduct before this becomes an issue and causes negative legal and reputational consequences. This is now possible with the help of advanced tools that use artificial intelligence (AI) to provide continuous education and training to employees in real time.

Lexverify is an innovative AI-powered solution that assists organisations in safeguarding employee wellbeing and preventing misconduct in real time. Lexverify’s AI-powered assistant flags potentially offensive or discriminatory content to employees in real time, as they are typing. By implementing Lexverify, organisations can prevent issues such as profanity, discrimination, and bullying from proliferating while simultaneously educating employees about acceptable behaviour. This real-time approach empowers HR teams to address concerns promptly, fostering a safer and more supportive work environment for everyone.

Real-time, AI-Powered Education and Training is the Future

Prioritising employee wellbeing is crucial for organisations seeking to create a positive and inclusive workplace culture. By recognising the legal and reputational risks as well as the negative wellbeing consequences associated with workplace misconduct, especially through electronic communication channels, companies can take proactive steps to protect their employees. Compliance with The Equality Act 2010 must extend to online interactions, ensuring that employees are treated with respect and dignity. By embracing solutions like Lexverify, organisations can promote employee wellbeing, prevent issues from escalating, and cultivate a professional work environment for all.

Want to add Lexverify to your robust HR compliance measures and preventive controls? Book a demo?here.