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?

Not exactly "fancy dress" is it @donquixotedelamancha . It's company property. Also not sure where you've inferred prejudice from, we cannot have people bouncing around pretending to be a professional in our business, irrespective of anything else. Nobody has asked them to leave only not to wear the uniform.

Isn't it an offence to dress up and impersonate some professions (like a police officer)? I wonder if you'd be able to look into something like that.

It's a bit weird, especially if they might dupe members of the public into thinking they work somewhere - it's different wearing something inspired by a uniform vs actually buying old stock of the uniform and wearing it.

People in random camo wandering about clearly aren't soldiers, but someone buying a full greens kit and wearing a beret marching about would be weird.

If this were to be a problem for the company, they could and probably would have their legal department or legal
representatives deal with the issue. If the company is not bothered by the issue, as an employee, I would not be concerned about the situation. If the person is not attempting to provide a service for which a professional license is required, they are probably not breaking any laws.

Although this guy isn't perceived to be a direct threat, it's very alarming there aren't already strict policies in place to deal with this situation if a terrorist impersonated a member of staff.

Also not sure where you've inferred prejudice from

I didn't infer prejudice, I cautioned against the risk of it. The thing about prejudice is, you don't always notice the assumptions you are making.

Not exactly "fancy dress" is it

It sounds like it is for him.

It's company property.

Well then, show the police the evidence that it's been stolen and ask them to arrest him. I suspect he'll say it's his property.

we cannot have people bouncing around pretending to be a professional in our business, irrespective of anything else.

Not wanting something and 'cannot have' are not the same.

Nobody has asked them to leave only not to wear the uniform.

Which has resulted in him saying your staff are harassing him and not in him removing the uniform.

You asked for advice, my suggestion is that the confrontational approach is likely to make things worse. I gave some suggestions in my PP on how to try another way.

I was thinking about the terrorism threat too if this is public transport.
I would definitely get the British Transport Police into this.

Isn't it an offence to dress up and impersonate some professions (like a police officer)? I wonder if you'd be able to look into something like that.

Yes. Section 90 of the 1996 police act. That doesn't help OP.

OP's main legal option is to get a civil injunction baring this person from being on the streets, in this uniform, near the (presumably) train station.

it's very alarming there aren't already strict policies in place to deal with this situation if a terrorist impersonated a member of staff.

There are. This is not that.

Is it your business? I'm confused it's all very vague. It's not the man off tik tok is it 😂

You asked for advice, my suggestion is that the confrontational approach is likely to make things worse. I gave some suggestions in my PP on how to try another way.

Worth pointing out: you lose nothing by trying the easy way. Court orders, even if possible, take time and money.

Is it really a problem if someone dresses up as a train driver? Is there any risk of him hijacking an actual train and attempting to drive it? Is that even possible-surely he would need a key or a passcode?

Why don't you ask him to leave?
Even if it's some form of public transport, premises are private land.
If he asks why, it's obvious - he's wearing a uniform that is suggestive of him being an employee and he's not. He can return when dressed otherwise if you don't think he's a threat. Otherwise he leaves the premises. If he refuses, call the Police. Have you spoken with any Community Support Officers? They're extremely well practiced at dealing with people.

Totally agree with this. The person could pose all sorts of risks.

I'm guessing we're not talking mass transport hubs here but maybe more hobbyist forms of transport?

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.

Could someone (e.g. security) have a friendly chat with him along those lines? It's probably never crossed his mind. Maybe suggest modifying the uniform or including some kind of visible disclaimer.

No, major transport hub.

Yes technically they could attempt to drive a vehicle if they felt so inclined, there are no keys or passcodes.

I think it unlikely they would do so.

This is a good discussion, lots of ideas, thank you.

I’ve seen TikToks of Francis Bourgeois wearing a traindrivers cap and jacket when train spotting. Is it him?

Do you ever have volunteers or anyone doing work experience? If this person could be identified and checked etc would they actually be capable of some sort of role if permitted ?

This was my first thought as well.

No idea who that is but 100% no

Ah, check him out on Instagram OP. He is less French than his name sounds!

Yes technically they could attempt to drive a vehicle if they felt so inclined, there are no keys or passcodes.

This is a risk. I would speak to your insurance company, security team, and work out a strategy. Even if it’s a golf cart or something they could cause a lot of damage and injury and you would be liable, given you know he’s able to access the vehicle and there are no measures to prevent him from driving it.

In 99.9 cases out of 100, no.
But there are some types who could use the situation to their advantage for various purposes. Risk assessment is done on worst case scenario, and worst case scenario is this person could get access to places general public aren't allowed. And if one can, others could as well.

Is it really a problem if someone dresses up as a train driver?

In this case it's a bus driver.