Student Loans Company sacks staff over computer misuse

Data obtained via a freedom of information (FoI) request revealed 23 instances - since 2018 - where employees received some form of disciplinary action for computer misuse offences.

These offences include examining private accounts of family members, sharing content on Facebook linked to criminal activity and sending inappropriate content via work emails.

In 2021, seven employees have been disciplined already for computer misuse at the non-profit, which is owned by the UK government’s department for education and is responsible for administering loans and grants to students.

The cases of computer misuse included one instance where an employee was suspended, pending investigation, for accessing their family or friend’s student finance accounts.

Other reasons for dismissal included inappropriate language being used in an email to a line manager, and two instances where employees were punished for inappropriately ‘liking’ a negative post.

In 2020, there were only two recorded cases of computer misuse, including a dismissal for sharing inappropriate and offensive material over Microsoft Teams. Those familiar with the matter have suggested that instances were low in 2020 as the pandemic and homeworking prevented managers from being able to track employee behaviour as closely.

In 2019, there were six examples of disciplinary action for computer misuse at the SLC, and five in 2018.