Sabotage

Sabotage is often committed by a former employee seeking revenge on their employer because of a personal grudge caused by a negative work related event such as dismissal. Although it is sometimes planned well in advance, it can also be the result of an opportunistic moment.

Sabotage does not have to be committed on site, it can be triggered remotely. In most cases it causes a financial loss to the organisation or damage to its reputation. The following strategies will help to lower the risk of an act of sabotage:

• encourage managers to be alert to individuals who are excessively negative about the organisation or their work

• establish a formal grievance procedure for staff to vent their feelings

• set up an easy and confidential system for staff to report any abnormal behaviour from their colleagues

• back up your information, preferably keeping a secure copy in another location

• when employment is terminated - for whatever reason - ensure that all access to systems, sites and information is ended

• ensure you have polices and procedures in place to prevent attack by remote access.