Can an employer advise it's employees they must not speak to an employee who has been suspended?

Hartlepool Borough Council has advised it's employees that they must not speak to or have contact with an employee who has been suspended. They have advised thier employees that if they are found having contact or have spoken with the suspended employee it would lead to serious consequences. Is this legal to impose this?Can an employer advise it's employees they must not speak to an employee who has been suspended?
they can advise ...but that would be a good case of a employer using bullying tactics ..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Can an employer advise it's employees they must not speak to an employee who has been suspended?
We have the right to speak freely outside of work. It sounds like someone is overstepping their authority.
I think they can advise you not to speak to them about the incident for which they were suspended. Can't see how they can stop you having contact with them though, I mean you could be related.
Only if you have signed a confedelety act, at your place of work
No that's a violation of your constitutional rights to freedom of speech and association. Report them to the state attorney general.
I dont think they can, what have they got to cover up?
no they cannot do that , when you are outside you can do what you wish
When an employee is suspended they are usually removed from the workplace and told not to enter until disciplinary procedure has taken place and the matter resolved.The only contact the employee should have is with their representative to discuss their situation not another employee.It could complicate an investigation if it is found that other employees are discussing it with the person who has been suspended, but I cannot see where they can stop you speaking to them as long as it is not about their situation
It would normally depend on what the person had been suspended for.
that's rediculous...what happens if you were friends with the susbended employee...it's human rights man...tell them to get lost and how will they no! i'd complain, they can advise it but not punish for you talkin to him/her!
YES. They can insist that during YOUR work hours that you not talk to them and that when you do talk on YOUR time that you do NOT discuss work.


Hope this helps.
its standard practise.





also the suspended person will be told not to speak to anyone
They are just trying to isolate that individual and threaten all of the rest of you. Only collective action can correct this illegal threat of the Borough Council. They would be crazy to fire all of you. Although of course that's what the US air controllers thought back in the 1980s, and Reagan fired all of them anyway.
In work yes





When you go home no way Freedom of speech it is called





If anyone does and takes measures of punishment on you





Get your self a lawyer and sue the paints off that man and the company





Each law suit is to be handled separately
not really, although it does depend
They can only warn or advise those employees, if they had signed a non-disclosure confidentiality agreement prior to being employed by them. Anyone in doubt should contact their trade union representative, as they could be accused of intimidation towards their employees. They can however, politely ask all their employees not to deliberately approach this employee, as it might not be in either his/her interests or the Councils interests to do so, but having said that, if you were a friend or relative of this employee, there is nothing they can really do, except if as I already mentioned, you'd signed an agreement. I do hope this helps.
No they cannot dictate that you cannot speak with a person.


Although they can request that you do not speak with the person regarding the issue for which they have been suspended.