A large blue chip organisation, were concerned that a member of staff had reported sick for work on a number of occasions over the past year. Whilst they were unable to prove any wrongdoing by the employee, they suspected that he was undertaking other work during his contracted hours of employment.
Covert surveillance confirmed he was moonlighting as a sales representative for a competitor and was using his present employer's vehicle. Both employers subsequently dismissed him. He appealed against his dismissal at an industrial tribunal, however the decision was upheld. Although it is difficult to quantify the exact monetary loss to the company, it clearly had a significant effect on other employees within the department, because their workload had been heightened in order to cover for the employee's absence. The employee's dismissal sent a clear message throughout the company that unwarranted absences would not be tolerated. Not surprisingly absences reduced dramatically within the company | 
