Can you be fired for personal conduct outside work?

Updated June 3, 2026, 7:43 a.m. | By Tamlyn Canham

A South African worker was dismissed after he was caught on CCTV allegedly handing someone drugs during a lunch break.

Employer shows red card with you are fired text — File photo/ iStock

"What I do in my personal time is none of my employer's business!" Or is it?

The Labour Court recently heard a case involving an employee of a Durban-based cable company and alleged drug use.

The worker, identified as Mervin, was dismissed following a shocking incident during his lunch break.

According to IOL, CCTV footage showed Mervin entering a vehicle at the company's gate.

The video reportedly shows him handing a "white substance" to the car driver, who then appears to "snort" it.

The company requested that Mervin take a drug test, which he failed after testing positive for cocaine.

He insisted that he did not take the drug at the workplace, but allegedly admitted to using it socially.

He was dismissed after being found guilty of dealing and consuming cocaine on company premises.

An arbitrator overturned the decision, but the Labour Court backed the employer, ruling that the dismissal was not unreasonable.

While not all companies regularly test employees, many have zero tolerance for drug use.

Here are three other actions that could get you in trouble, even if they take place outside of work.

Social media activity

Social media has become a normal part of everyday life, but some posts could get you fired or result in a warning. Countless people have shared tearful videos after losing their jobs for content they posted online.

Many have shared 'Day in My Life' videos showing them getting ready for work, going to work, or attending company events. Some have even shared their salaries or complained about their jobs.

Posts that are unrelated to your work could also put you at risk. If your activity damages the company's reputation, violates certain policies, or compromises confidentiality, you can expect an email from HR.

If in doubt, don't! If you're a content creator who regularly shares your life, maybe check with HR about the company's rules and policies.

Affairs between employees

Your employer can't dictate who you date, but if it poses a conflict of interest, it could lead to problems. Even if you keep it professional in the workplace, dating colleagues can get messy, especially if one person is more senior than the other, for example, a manager dating a subordinate.

Who can forget 2025's viral 'Kiss Cam' moment that occurred at a Coldplay concert? A married American CEO and the company's HR executive were caught in a cosy embrace at the concert. The video went viral almost instantly. Both resigned from the company shortly after.

"Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met," the company said in a statement.

Coldplay's Chris Martin accidentally exposes astronomer CEO Andy Byron having an affair with his HR chief Kristin Cabot. pic.twitter.com/GMa2g0EiK3
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) July 17, 2025

Criminal behaviour

Being convicted of a crime can also have a ripple effect on your job. Employers often frown on serious offences involving violence, theft, fraud and illegal drug use. You don't even need to be found guilty. All it takes is a charge. We have seen many high-profile figures lose their jobs or endorsements after being charged with sexual assault or domestic violence.

Trust and workplace safety are important in the workplace, and criminal behaviour could be a sign that you are a potential risk.