What would you expect to happen to this employee?

[Explored]

School caretaker, lives on site and is paid to work weekdays in the holidays.

During the holidays, there were building works going on and contractors were under pressure to get it finished, so they wanted to work weekends.

Caretaker refused to unlock, unless they paid him cash upfront, which they did, as they needed to get the job finished. Correct procedure would have been for him to unlock and claim overtime for his time, which would have been considerably less than the cash payment made (and he would have paid tax on it). That said, we're talking a few minutes, as he lives on site and the school may have balked at his OT claim. School would have passed any cost onto the contractors.

Now the school is open the builders have complained to the head.

I don't know what to say to him, other than why would you be so stupid, which is not helpful....

I would expect a disciplinary meeting. I would also expect at least a verbal warning, if not a written one, if not a dismissal for gross misconduct.

He is using his position for personal financial gain, which is unacceptable.

He asked for and got a cash bribe to unlock the school for them? I would expect an investigation and disciplinary hearing and if it is found to be true he would lose his job

That's very serious. I'm assuming this is a friend of yours or something?

It's hard to say flowery, as it's not my story to tell but it's someone I know who has always appeared a bit "dodgy" to me, always picking up cash in hand jobs, often done at least in part in the hours he should be working at school. Decorating or handy man type work. I didn't think he was stupid though!

I agree with you Precious. It will be interesting to see what does happen. I know the head too and suspect it will be swept under the carpet for a quiet life.

If I was hearing a disciplinary with those facts, I woukd dismiss for gross misconduct

On the face of it, gross misconduct, but I'd check what constitutes gross misconduct according to policy. I think (as far as I can remember) violence and proven theft are the usual breaches. It appears that he has, in fact, benefited from the situation but on closer inspection it may transpire that this wasn't his intention/or that his intention to profit can't be proven. Or there may be an informal precedent established by a predecessor or something (dons union hat and strokes chin..) Chances are he'll be in a union and that union will be vociferous in its defence of its member.

In the event of a dismissal I gather the rules on taking an employer to tribunal has changed, so may not be in his interests to take on employer (I think plaintiff has to pay now)

In any event, a very stern talking to backed up by a warning at the very least, imo. Daft bugger.

Fired for gross misconduct.

He was acting as a representative of the school, it was not his place to extract cash from contractors to the school. I'd be livid, he'd be gone.

Wow. Gross misconduct. That's shocking if not downright illegal.