News

Misconduct in Stormont departments

NORTHERN Ireland executive departments have disciplined six staff members over the past three years for online misconduct on social media websites and blogs. A Department of the Environment employee posted information on Facebook when it had not yet been released into the public domain. The incident was dealt with through informal disciplinary procedures by departmental managers.

One staff member within the Department for Regional Development received a written reprimand and formal warning after posting "inappropriate correspondence" on Facebook. The Office of First and Deputy First Minister gave an informal warning to one employee within the last financial year for misconduct. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development gave a written warning and financial penalty to one offending civil servant in the past three years. A Department of Employment and Learning staff member was formally disciplined for misconduct on social media websites and blogs. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment also disciplined one employee since 2009/10. The details of online misconduct were obtained through FoI requests.