For many organisations, misconduct checks still feel like something you respond to, rather than prepare for. But in 2025, that approach is becoming harder to justify.
Behaviours that once stayed behind closed doors, or at least offline, are now more visible, more reportable, and more consequential. Employers are under growing pressure to take these risks seriously and act early.
This blog explores why misconduct is rising, how expectations around employer responsibility are shifting, and where social media screening fits within a wider, joined-up screening programme.
Misconduct isn’t new. But it is growing.
According to the State of Misconduct at Work report, 1 in 15 candidates are now flagged for warning signs of misconduct. These include online harassment, intolerance, sexual misconduct and, increasingly, violent or threatening behaviour.
Between 2023 and 2024, threat indicators tripled - from 5% to 14%. This rise reflects a clear shift, from passive exposure to active participation in behaviours that can pose real harm to teams, reputations and working environments.
The cost goes beyond compliance
Right to Work and criminal record checks carry serious legal consequences when not handled properly. Non-compliance can lead to substantial fines, reputational fallout, and operational risk.
Misconduct checks add another dimension. They uncover behavioural risks that may not be captured by other checks but can be just as damaging , especially in regulated sectors where safeguarding is critical.
Together, these checks provide a more complete picture. One that helps employers protect not just their compliance status, but their people and their culture too.
Regulation is raising the bar
In the UK, the Worker Protection Act came into force in October 2024. It places greater responsibility on employers to prevent harassment before it happens , including online.
Beyond legislation, employment tribunals and case law are now considering digital behaviour and off-duty conduct more regularly. Employers who fail to act pre-emptively are increasingly viewed as negligent, not uninformed
The detection challenge
Identifying risk isn’t as straightforward as it once was. Social platforms have changed. Likes are no longer always public, replies are easier to hide, and decentralised platforms like Mastodon or Bluesky complicate traceability.
Even so, Fama recorded a 50% year-on-year increase in misconduct indicators between 2023 and 2024. The signals are still there , they’re just harder to spot without the right tools and expertise.
Risk patterns across sectors
Misconduct risk is not confined to one industry. Fama’s analysis highlights trends across a range of sectors:
- Consumer services (retail, hospitality): 16% of candidates flagged, with high levels of harassment, sexual misconduct and intolerance
- Media and entertainment: 9% of candidates flagged, often for online abuse or discriminatory content
- Education: Lower overall volumes, but a noticeable rise in threats
- Government and non-profit: Only 3% of candidates flagged, but with an average of 30 warning signs per individual - the highest across all sectors
These figures show that risk is not just about volume. It’s about visibility, consistency, and the unique challenges each sector faces.
Where social media screening fits in
At Giant Screening, we see social media checks as one part of a wider, well-structured screening programme. They are most effective when combined with:
When used in the right context, social media checks reveal behaviours that often go undetected elsewhere. They offer an additional layer of insight , particularly valuable where there are safeguarding duties, brand risk, or public accountability.
Getting ahead of the risk
Misconduct at work is rising. So is regulatory scrutiny. But so too is the opportunity to build resilience through better screening.
You don’t need to overhaul everything at once. But reviewing your existing process, understanding where the gaps are, and working with a trusted partner can help reduce risk across the board.
As screening experts, we help organisations build compliant, robust, and responsive programmes that evolve with the times. Social media screening is just one piece , but it’s an increasingly important one!
