College staff sacked over e-mails

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_west/6036761.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Five people have been sacked at Swansea College for "misusing" their work e-mails.

The college said it followed an on-going investigation into messages sent between members of staff and none of its 15,000 students were involved.

Union officials said they could not condone the content of the e-mails but would be challenging the "fairness" of the dismissals.

The college said it would not disclose the nature of the e-mails.

In a statement it said: "Swansea College can confirm that five members of staff have been dismissed following an investigation into the misuse of e-mails."

It said it had a clear IT policy for staff regarding the use of work computers and took any breaches "extremely seriously."

"In line with the college's policy, it is not appropriate to give any further details of the staff involved.

"Until the investigation reaches a close we are unable to comment on the extent or content."

The University and College Union met with the members of staff involved on Monday.

Regional support officer Phil Markham said he could not comment on the nature of the messages but said the union would not condone their content.

"We are challenging the process and fairness of the investigation," said Mr Markham.

Earlier this year 14 members of staff were sacked by the DVLA in Swansea for sending pornographic e-mails.