Can our boss really insist we don't contact our former colleague?

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a colleague has left under a bit of a cloud and our boss is insisting we cannot contact them by any method, can they enforce this? several of us were very fond of this colleague and just want to wish them all the best. What happens if we ignore the boss?

Could there be legal reasons why you shouldn't contact them?

I don't see that it's anything to do with him! I can understand a teacher not being able to contact students or something similar but if you are friends, why should you not speak to each other?

If there is a formal disciplinary underway, it would be very unwise to be in touch.

Can you wait until it's over?

I can't imagine this could possibly be enforceable. If there is a disciplinary, it could lead to you being called as a witness, although that may happen anyway.

If there is a disciplinary, how will they know it is over, given that such procedures are meant to be confidential?

much more likley imo that colleague is pursuing a case against employer, would this make any difference ?

I'm sure someone knowledgeable in employment law will be along in a minute with more expert advice than mine but I think it is enforceable, I am aware of this happening to someone I know who was under a non-compete clause after he left a company. The paranoid CEO was convinced that this was being breached (it wasn't) and warned the entire company that they should not be in contact with the ex-employee. I'm not sure if their job security was explicitly threatened as a consequence but the implication was definitely there.

I don't know how this could be enforced, in practice, but is it possible that the former colleague doesn't actually want to be contacted?

This happened once where I worked, ex colleague taking employer to court. I don't know if its enforceable though, hopefully a legal poster will come along to advise.

yes i guess its possible, but I would just like to send a card saying all the best for the future. Would anyone really object to that.

Surely who you chose to see outside of the workplace is up to you? I can't believe you could be enforced to stop a friendship just because your employer says so.

thats what i think thickandthin. bottom line though is i fear for my job.

Contact ACAS for advice, I think the only legal issues are if you discuss what has happened with your friend.

'I fear for my job' yes, that is how I felt! Employers dictate that you can be disciplined etc, playing on our fears.

You are entitled to a private life.

I would ensure any contact only happens outside of work time, is not done on work phones/email addresses, and that you do not under any circumstances discuss work/people at work/circumstances surrounding their departure.

Lots of people make friends at work and if you want to stay friends on a personal basis afterwards you can do so. I'm assuming if you want to send a card you have been given the colleague's address personally by him/her rather than acquiring it through work?

thanks all, flowery yes i know their address already.

Many years ago I was suspended ( was my fault) and the rest f the team were told they couidnt speak to me. I had a close friend in the team and she spoke to our boss and said that while she appreciated she couidnt discuss work issues with me she thought it was unreasonable to say we couldn't speak. He consulted with HR and they agreed and several members of the team contacted me. The fact was I had done something we all did but I was caught, it was a fair cop though and I did resign before being sacked for gross misconduct. I still have contact with that friend now.

Hopping green
I'm intrigued what was it?!