HMRC dismissals for gross misconduct hit five-year high as 179 civil servants sacked

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) terminated 179 employees for gross misconduct in 2024, reflecting a 43% increase from 125 dismissals in 2020, with over half of 321 terminations this year.

The recent dismissals indicate a firmer stance on disciplinary matters, underscoring the importance of compliance and the consequences of actions like unauthorized access to sensitive taxpayer information.

Case reports illustrate serious breaches leading to consequences, such as a tax office worker jailed for defrauding taxpayers by falsely claiming benefits, using information accessed through her work system.

Experts note that while increases in gross misconduct at HMRC are concerning, they may also reflect the agency's commitment to maintaining a stringent ethical standard within its workforce.

Read at Business Matters