• Membership
    • Become a member
    • Chamber network
    • Member offers
    • Member directory
    • Premier partners
  • Helping your business
    • Events
    • International markets
    • News & opinion
    • North-east jobs
    • The Research Chamber
    • Training
  • Supporting our region
    • Political influence
    • Investment Tracker
    • Vanguard
    • Net Zero North-east
    • Circular North-east
    • Abzolutely
    • DYW North East
Login
  1. Home
  2. Blog

Take a Pikachu at the new-est Pokemon Pest

  • July 22, 2016
  • by Simon Allison, partner – head of employment law, Blackadders LLP
Take a Pikachu at the new-est Pokemon Pest

HAVE you been excited about Pokemon Go finally arriving in the UK?

I can think of nothing better than spending my lunchtime racing round Dundee city centre with my smartphone and my team trying to capture the latest Pokemon characters.

Will I find a Charizard in the Caird Hall?

Will there be a Dragonite lurking in Bank Street?

Either way, I am going to try and contain my excitement about this new game and, unlike a Singapore resident, resist temptation to use social media as a vehicle for my uncontrollable addiction to Pokemon Go.

Mr Sonny Truyen was allegedly sacked by his employer after a profanity-laden rant on Facebook inspired by the unavailability of this smartphone game in Singapore.

He posted that Singapore was filled with “stupid people” and said that the national IQ would fall if he left.

Unfortunately for Mr Truyen, his posts were picked up by his employer who subsequently apologised for his comments and proceeded to terminate his employment.

Although this incident occurred outwith the UK, it is a prime example of how employers should be careful about offensive posts which purport to have come from their employees.

Employers should be proactive in understanding the various social media forums, creating policies, monitoring and educating staff about social media usage.

They should also be reactive in terms of taking action against offending employees, where appropriate.

If in doubt, employers should take legal advice as a matter of urgency.

So do not drive yourself into having a complete cream Jigglypuff over GO, it is only a game.

Similarly don’t risk reducing your CV to Ash solely on account of this issue.

If you take a quick Pikachu at this recent turn of events, I shouldn’t need to Raichu a letter outlining the dangers in combining Pokemon Rage with social media and the subsequent risk of getting Blastoise’d from your employment.

@EmpLawyerSimon

Back to blog

Share this page

·

Don't just join, join in

Being a member of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce can bring significant value to your business. Talk to us today to find out more.

Join us Log in
British Chambers of Commerce
  • The Hub, Exploration Drive
    Aberdeen Energy Park, Bridge of Don
    Aberdeen, AB23 8GX
  • info@agcc.co.uk 01224 343900
  • About
  • Meet the team
  • Vacancies

© AGCC · Legal notices