Caught Browsing: A Tribunal's Take On Employee's Internet Use At Work

Can browsing Rightmove on your lunch break get you fired? In one recent Employment Tribunal case, it nearly did-but the employer paid the price.

Will Trotter, Solicitor in Rothera Bray's Employment Law team, unpacks a Tribunal decision that raises questions around workplace surveillance, fair disciplinary processes and employee privacy. A cautionary tale involving covert spyware and questionable evidence, this case offers vital lessons for employers navigating misconduct and dismissal.

Background of the case

In Lanuska v Accountancy MK Service , the claimant, Miss Lanuska, was the sole full-time employee of a small accountancy firm. In July 2023, she was summarily dismissed for allegedly engaging in "private business activities" during work hours, specifically browsing websites like Rightmove, Amazon, and Very on her work computer.