Dentons has suspended and "disciplined" four trainees who were caught accessing confidential HR documents.
The final seat trainees, part of an intake of 39, were in the process of applying for newly-qualified positions at the firm when they were caught "snooping" on confidential HR documents, said a source. "They got called up to HR last Tuesday lunchtime", said the insider, "and haven’t been allowed to come into work since".
A spokesman for Dentons confirmed that "while considering the trainees' NQ applications, a number of conduct issues came to our attention concerning unauthorised access to confidential information relevant to the process". He said Dentons suspended all four trainees last week and launched an investigation, which has now resulted in all them being subjected to "disciplinary action". Dentons would not elaborate on the nature of the sanctions, but it appears highly likely that some of the super spies will not be retained on qualification.
"We expect our trainees to act with the highest standards of integrity and professionalism", said the spokesman, "and are of course deeply disappointed and saddened by this development".
Dentons' potential expulsion of trainees is the latest example of firms clamping down on shortcomings amongst the junior ranks. Earlier this month RollOnFriday revealed that Ince & Co had made the unusual decision to axe a trainee for poor performance halfway through their training contract, and that Slaughter and May had jettisoned two law students before they even started, because they failed to pass modules on the LPC.
Tip Off ROF
The final seat trainees, part of an intake of 39, were in the process of applying for newly-qualified positions at the firm when they were caught "snooping" on confidential HR documents, said a source. "They got called up to HR last Tuesday lunchtime", said the insider, "and haven’t been allowed to come into work since".
A spokesman for Dentons confirmed that "while considering the trainees' NQ applications, a number of conduct issues came to our attention concerning unauthorised access to confidential information relevant to the process". He said Dentons suspended all four trainees last week and launched an investigation, which has now resulted in all them being subjected to "disciplinary action". Dentons would not elaborate on the nature of the sanctions, but it appears highly likely that some of the super spies will not be retained on qualification.
How it looked. |
"We expect our trainees to act with the highest standards of integrity and professionalism", said the spokesman, "and are of course deeply disappointed and saddened by this development".
Dentons' potential expulsion of trainees is the latest example of firms clamping down on shortcomings amongst the junior ranks. Earlier this month RollOnFriday revealed that Ince & Co had made the unusual decision to axe a trainee for poor performance halfway through their training contract, and that Slaughter and May had jettisoned two law students before they even started, because they failed to pass modules on the LPC.
Comments
529
625
560
587
581
579
564
555
560
572
531
576
561
598
524
608
575
548
549
631
568
599
596
579
568
578
I think bonuses are in order, don't you?
596
581
542
648
599
558
529
624
603
554
547
599
get real - there is plenty to blame most HR teams for, but the actions of the trainees is not HR's fault and their actions are what they are being held to account over
582
559
548
599
547
587
Granted, the product of the search will contain information about others, but if that was not the object of the search then I don't really see the ethical issue.
Also typical HR incompetence, followed by massive overreaction to distract from said incompetence.
535
585
562
575
540
594
562
579
571
578
538
620
But FFS, there are literally tens of millions of documents on these systems. And it's inevitable that you - innocently or otherwise - stumble across something potentially interesting. And to expect that someone doesn't look at something that directly concerns their future is asking a bit much .
Give them a stern talking-to, but HR are the ones who should be getting the real rocket. If we didn't know it was inevitable and expected that things like this would be found, they wouldn't need document security.
553
566
569
582
537
582
554
617
506
637
HR can’t be held fully to blame but let’s be clear - they screwed up significantly. First, I would be livid if I was another trainee and they had allowed a document to be accessible that may have said I’m not getting a job on qualification. Second, in this case, there may or may not be too much damage done but imagine if this was instead an employee facing redundancy who accessed information regarding the redundancy procedures and background. They would be inviting claims against the firm.
The trainees were wrong to look but it’s an understandable temptation for a young person in that position. There is nothing understandable about the HR incompetence - that just needs a suitable rollicking also and to ensure they don’t do it again.
550
611
And no harm was done. They would have found out a week or two later anyway.