To ask whether I can be sacked for this?

[JustHopingForAnAnswer]

I have name-changed for obvious reasons. Anyone know whether staff can be sacked for being in contact with past colleagues?

In order not to drip feed, quick details (necessarily vague) I work in the UK (England) in an industry which seems to have a high turnover of staff at every level. Recently several people have been removed, all a bit of a blow up. I have remained in contact with one of the leavers but learned today that anyone in contact with these past employees is in danger of being "immediately sacked". Surely not a sacking offence?

We have no HR, that's outsourced to just a payroll company, so no-one to ask. But AIBU to think a company can't sack someone for contact with a former employee?

Might be an issue if you're a prison officer and one of the "leavers" is a newly released prisoner!

I think it may depend on the nature of the company and where the ex-colleague has now move to. I guess they are concerned about industry secrets being shared. I wonder what would apply if you were friends with the person before you became colleagues.

I don't see how anyone could be sacked for being "in touch with former colleagues", what happens if your paths regularly cross because you have similar hobbies and interests, children in the same school or clubs so bump into each other on the school run, happen to live in the same street or are related to them. Surely it's just not practical, apart from reasonable, not to speak to ex colleagues. As long as you are not talking about work it should be none of the company's business.

How would they know that you’ve been in contact with a former colleague? A good reason to keep your professional and private life separate. Don’t tell them, this unenforceable ‘rule’ is ridiculous.

They would probably find a false reason to fire you

What a horrible place England has become to work in 🥺. Just as well I Ieft even though I still love the place.

High turnover of staff? Do you work in a school? Or the NHS? Or a prison?
No you can’t be sacked for that!

For obvious reasons you've been vague on here OP but I'm curious. Can you just say what industry you work in? Prison, social work, high finance? Whatever it is, it's sounds awful.