What to Do When an Employee Is Arrested at Work or Under Police Investigation: Communicate with Care 

An employee arrested at work or under police investigation, even if the arrest happens outside working hours, can spark confusion, reputational risk, and pressure from stakeholders and media alike. For many employers, the instinct is to respond immediately. But moving too quickly or saying too much can cause more harm than good. 

At Alder, we specialise in helping organisations manage the communications fallout from such events. 

We help you handle: 

• What to say and what not to say 
• When to speak, and when silence protects you 
• How to handle media interest and social media speculation 
• Internal messaging and stakeholder reassurance 
• Staying calm as the story evolves over days, weeks or even years 

What to Do If an Employee Is Under Police Investigation 

Each case differs, but the risks are often the same: staff unrest, public backlash, reputational harm, and unintended legal consequences from careless messaging. Even a well-meaning statement can backfire if it’s premature, overly detailed, or contradicts later developments. 

During times of crisis, people are bound to have a number of legal questions. While Alder doesn’t provide legal counsel, we’re experienced in working alongside lawyers to help ensure your public and internal communications align with your obligations and protect your brand. 

Legal Considerations and Strategic Silence 

Privacy rights and Contempt of Court rules may significantly restrict what can be said about an employee arrested at work or outside of work, which makes strategic communication absolutely essential.  

Be Prepared Before the Story Breaks 

An unexpected arrest is often the start of a long legal process that may involve a charge and trial. While such situations aren’t always public from the outset, organisations should be prepared for the possibility of publicity at any stage. Our Legal Response Retainer gives you rapid access to senior communications experts who can help you plan careful stakeholder management for each phase of the process. 

We provide: 

• Real-time media monitoring 
• On-call media and interview training 
• Messaging and Q&A development tailored to legal sensitivities 
• Long-term strategy and stakeholder management 

For an in-confidence conversation, email [email protected] or call 020 7692 5675