Non employee wearing company uniform

[Elyana]

Just interested to know where we stand in legal terms and whether anything can realistically be done about it.

The person in question wears company branded uniform in the vicinity of our operations. Essentially they are impersonating a staff member and at the very least in possession of company property.

They have never worked for us but purchase the items on eBay from ex employees. Whenever anyone tries to broach the matter there are complaints of harassment.

Thoughts?

Reminds me of the Coronation Street plot line from a few years ago when Gail got seduced by a guy who claimed to be an airline pilot and had a uniform when he actually worked in an airport shop. Although that was obviously fiction and he was doing it for nefarious ends.

For people asking whether uniforms should be sold on ebay, it might be a generic uniform like airline pilot or fireman where people often buy them for fancy dress or Chippendale type acts, or amateur dramatics, which might be a bit of a grey area.

@Elyana it takes all kinds! But if it's something as harmless as pretending they're a train driver, then what is the actual problem?

If it's a commercial airline then there is legitimacy I believe to alert the police - there is a reasonable concern to think they could try to access airport security through staff channels.
Even if you think that isn't on this persons radar now, wearing an airline uniform when not employed by them would be considered a security significant person and one of interest.

If public transport presumably there are contacts with the British Transport Police - they have no doubt come across this situation before and so may have useful advice on how it can be dealt with effectively. Not necessarily handled by them.

Is it actually public transport or were you using that as an example? Because if it is public transport, could you ask the British Transport Police for advice?

Where is the person hanging around? Train stations aren't actually 'public' places and people can be barred from them. Although that's of no use if he's hanging around on the pavement outside a bus garage.

So how does this work with footballers, then? Considering that replica 'uniforms' are sold throughout the land - even for babies.

Wasn't there that bloke who made a thing of wearing his replica kit and running on to the pitch at the last minute to pose with the actual players and be included in their official team photo?!

We had this sort of thing ex employee of a toy shop sold their uniform the people who bought it went into the store and managed to steal from it as everyone assumed they were Christmas temp staff they have to return the uniform now

Have you considered a uniform rebrand? Would that be possible?

.... this bloke.

Same here as a couple of others have mentioned, work uniforms have to be handed back in when we get a new design or at the very least any identifiable labels etc cut off before they are recycled. Selling them on would definitely be a sackable offence due to the security risk for us so maybe look into how it’s ok for staff to be selling uniform that I assume belongs to the company.

i would have thought the police could have had a gentle word, after all if he is in uniform the general public including vulnerable people and children would possibly approach him for information or advice . If anything went wrong I would assume you would have a reputation risk issue if the problem had been known about but not escalated.

It's not a generic uniform, very specific branding.

The problem is potential risks for example, interactions with the public as an "employee" and company representative, which pose not only a risk to our public image but also their personal safety in the case of aggressive passengers. There is also the risk of behaviours this might evolve into.

It's not a commercial airline but it is public transport.

There may be security concerns with regard to some company premises. It does mainly involve public areas though.

Good point about vulnerable people @Theraffarian

Or the fake pilot in Coronation St who ending up getting Dierdre jailed 🤣

Yeah, I can definitely see some risks, both for the company and the individual. He probably is extremely knowledgeable but you don't need him telling people the trains on such-and-such a platform when it isn't, or representing the company poorly, and then you have to say publicly 'oh that's just Mad Dave, he doesn't work here, he just cosplays as a train driver'.

I do like the suggestion earlier about 'rules' and also maybe claiming there's an insurance problem without getting into specifics. Is he doing this on station property? In which case I think you could certainly have him moved on. I would get BTP to have a word and see if his 'enthusiasm' could maybe be channelled in a different direction, like could you make him a special volunteer or do a social media takeover or similar.

It's worth having a discussion with the police. It is possibly theft, and if it was someone dressing as a train driver there is a risk of impersonation. They might have a quiet word, maybe suggest the person confines their dressing-up to the bedroom..

But someone needs to review contracts of employment and the off-boarding process to ensure that all items of company equipment and clothing are being returned.

@Alicetheowl it was Dierdre 😉

Can I ask is he neuro typical, I’m thinking he’s a Train spotter and dresses up as he’s obsessed with trains, so far from being malicious it’s more he may have additional needs?

I'd suggest

Rebrand uniform
Make it a disciplinary offence for staff to sell uniform
Staff to return uniform on termination of employment, or pay £££ for it

Are you sure he isn’t vulnerable?

I think I would report it to the police, using the online form or non emergency number.

I would also call your company insurance to see what they advise. They may have a legal team that could help - a cease and desist letter from them might make them stop.

I think if it was a harmless train/plane spotter type and I could spare half hour, I'd be nice, offer them a tour 'Behind the Scenes' if safe and then gently tell them that wearing the uniform isn't OK for X, Y, Z reason and offer them a cheap unbranded HiVis to keep them safe and maybe give them info on volunteer or job opportunities within your venue. Our trainstation has volunteer greeters and people who look after the trainstation and plant flowers in planters on the platform etc in the Spring it's nice many of these people are retired or trains are their special interest. The individual may well be neuro diverse or similar and not been able to get a job there even though they really want to and are perhaps very knowledgeable and I wouldn't think the Police are the right initial direction.

Of course if they continue or appear in anyway violent then Police all the way.

I’d be curious as to whether he’s ever applied for a job there. If not, why not? Because he’s obviously keen to work in the industry. If he doesn’t want to apply or has done so in the past and been unsuccessful, then I think someone in authority has to approach him, take him aside and explain that it’s not appropriate.

I'm sceptical there is anything you can do (legally) in practice. People are allowed to wear fancy dress.

Unless return of uniform is specifically included in contracts then I can't see trying to charge someone with theft would succeed- it's potentially simply a 'benefit' of employment. I also think you've no chance of identifying where he got it.

If he's not defrauding people in any way then he's very unlikely to be committing any crime. Might be worth speaking to 101 just to get their advice and log the issue. As PPs says, they might be willing to speak to him, at least to get a dialogue going.

There is also the risk of behaviours this might evolve into.

I think it's pretty daft to assume someone with an odd hobby represents any more physical risk to you than any other person (if that was the implication). Assuming this person isn't neurotypical I think you should be careful you are not prejudiced just because this person has a disability.

I do like the suggestion earlier about 'rules' and also maybe claiming there's an insurance problem without getting into specifics.

I really would not advise lying to this person to get him to stop something he's got every right to do.

Whenever anyone tries to broach the matter there are complaints of harassment.

Why is he saying he's being harassed- have staff told him off or tried to get him to leave public areas?

Since he's a fan why not try another approach- invite him for a look around, try to win him over. Get somebody good with people to build a rapport with him then ask for the favour of not doing cosplay near the station (perhaps in return for something related to his hobby).

someone needs to review contracts of employment and the off-boarding process to ensure that all items of company equipment and clothing are being returned.

This.

Perhaps you could suggest that you appreciate their love for your services and enthusiasm however the uniform is misleading and has been obtained a result of theft down the line (no pun intended if trainspotter)

Suggest they wear a similar outfit if they wish but they must display any branding, perhaps you could offer something as an incentive /reward if he hands into you. Like a travel voucher or experience if anything exists.

He is probably a very innocent and enthusiastic individual who would be horrified to hear your concerns as he wouldn't intentionally mislead anyone.

This person knows they're a fraud.
Presumably there's a legitimate way to go about this role and for whatever reason they're not doing that.
I would imagine that the Police will do nothing (there was a thread a few days ago about an adult man dressing in girls school uniform and hanging around outside 3 different schools in Essex and the Police intervention was to ask parents to stop sharing photographs of this person).
I would check the policy you have on uniform generally and change it so that employees must return it when they leave.
Then you're probably going to have to actually speak to this person directly - ask them what they're doing and tell them clearly it's not permitted to do x,y,z and if they continue, seek legal advice/injunction at which point the Police could help.

I think there is a risk to the public here. In an emergency situation (say fire in a tube station) you do not want evacuation procedures to be messed up because this "employee" gives incorrect information. Or runs away making people panic.

There is also the most unlikely scenario that this person starts behaving in a dangerous way. Like trying to access employee only locations, giving instructions to the public etc.

I think someone senior in the organisation should speak to the police and ask for advice. They may be able to arrest/caution this person if they don't stop this behaviour.