Workplace Misconduct in the News in November 2025

Workplace misconduct continues to make headlines, highlighting the critical need for organizations to understand what constitutes misconduct in the workplace and how to prevent it. From social media scandals to breaches of trust and ethical lapses, November 2025 has brought several examples of misconduct in the workplace that underscore the importance of robust employee screening and social media background checks.

In this edition, we review key incidents and explore how AI tools for social media screening can help organizations protect their employees, reputation, and operational integrity.

Why Should You Care about Workplace Misconduct in the News?

Workplace misconduct can range from harassment and discrimination to fraud and inappropriate online behavior. Understanding what is misconduct in the workplace is critical for organizations that aim to maintain a safe and productive work environment.

Some common examples of misconduct in the workplace include:

Harassment or offensive behavior toward colleagues or clients
Discrimination based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics
Misuse of company property or funds
Posting harmful content on social media or engaging in online misconduct
Breaching ethical or legal responsibilities

Keeping track of workplace misconduct in the news is more than just staying informed; it’s an opportunity to learn from others’ mistakes. Organizations that implement structured online screening programs can reduce the risk of hiring individuals who may engage in harmful behavior.

To dive deeper, check out our guide on social media misconduct in the workplace and learn how social media background checks software can help safeguard your organization.

7 Instances of Workplace Misconduct in November 2025

Below are notable examples of misconduct in the workplace and online activity that made headlines this month:

DoorDash driver charged after recording, posting video of nude customer, police say

A DoorDash driver has been charged after allegedly recording and posting a video of a nude customer without his consent. Police say the driver filmed the customer inside his home while he was unconscious and partially unclothed, and later uploaded the footage to social media. Investigators reviewed Ring doorbell video and determined that the customer, who was inside his own residence and not engaging in criminal behavior, had not committed any offense. DoorDash removed the driver from the platform for violating its privacy policy. The driver now faces felony charges for unlawful surveillance and distributing the illicit recording. (CNYCentral)

Who is Matt Forney? US H-1B journalist fired after shocking remarks against Indian origin CEO, ‘Deport every Indian’

Journalist Matt Forney was terminated from his role at news outlet The Blaze after posting a series of social-media comments attacking an Indian-origin CEO and advocating for the deportation of Indians. In one tweet he wrote, “Yet another unqualified Indian takes over an American company. And I guarantee her first action will be to fire every American and replace them with other Indians, either directly or via bodyshops. DEI: Deport Every Indian.” His employer cited “concerning” posts as the reason for termination but did not specify which messages triggered the action. (Hindustan Times)

Danville Public Schools releases statement concerning social media post from George Washington teacher

Danville Public Schools is investigating a teacher at George Washington High School after a social media post circulated showing a gun pointed at a person alongside the caption “put the pronouns back in the email.” The school system immediately contacted parents and began reviewing the situation in line with division policies. The teacher has been removed from school grounds while the investigation is ongoing, and the district emphasized that the post does not reflect the values or professionalism expected of its staff. (Star-Tribune)

Matt Gaetz producer fired for sharing virulently antisemitic video

A producer, booker, and scriptwriter for former Rep. Matt Gaetz's weeknight show on One America News Network (OANN), was reportedly fired after posting a virulently antisemitic social media post. The controversial post was an AI-generated animated video that depicted Jews as cockroaches. The video showed the producer entering a "scheming room" marked with Stars of David on the door, where he found a group of cockroaches counting money, who then scattered upon his arrival. The post drew widespread backlash before it was ultimately deleted, leading to his termination. (Jewish Insider)

Texas mom screams in pain minutes before delivering baby as hospital allegedly delays care, asks her intake questions

A viral TikTok shared by a Texas mother shows her daughter in visible distress while allegedly experiencing delayed care and negligence during active labor at Dallas Regional Medical Center. The video captures the patient doubled over in a wheelchair, screaming that the baby was coming while a nurse insisted on conducting admission questions. The mother is heard questioning the staff's actions, asking if they "treat all your patients like this or just the Black ones," accusing them of medical racism. The family alleges staff kept the patient in the waiting area for "more than 30 mins," with her son being born just "12 min later." This alleged failure to provide urgent care caused significant public outrage and social media backlash, prompting the Dallas Regional Medical Center to issue a statement confirming they are "reviewing this situation to understand what occurred." (People)

IRC Deputy arrested, fired after stalking woman he met on social media

A 10-year Indian River County (IRC) sheriff's deputy was arrested and fired on the same day after officials confirmed he used his position to stalk and cyberstalk a woman he met via social media. The deputy illegally accessed the agency’s protected database to obtain the woman's personal information, in addition to contacting her using fake social media profiles and driving by her house in an agency vehicle after she had explicitly blocked him and asked him to stop.

Investigators found that the deputy had sent the woman 23 files containing sexually explicit photos and videos of himself in uniform, taken while he was on duty, and the sheriff indicated that the deputy may have stalked other women as well. The deputy was charged with stalking and offense against computer users for violating the public's trust and misusing agency resources. (Vero News)

Fama Findings: Screening Highlights Allegations Against University Executive

Earlier this year, Fama screened a senior university leader following public social media posts alleging inappropriate conduct. A video surfaced accusing the candidate of trading academic grades for sexual favors, and included screenshots of a conversation with the candidate, who denied the allegations. The university confirmed the individual was under investigation, though details on the outcome remain limited.

Digital footprints like these provide critical insight into behaviors that may not emerge through standard hiring or screening processes. By reviewing public online activity, organizations can identify potential risks early, helping protect employees, institutional reputation, and overall organizational integrity.

‍The Role of Social Media Screening in Preventing Misconduct

With social media increasingly influencing workplace behavior, social media screening has become an essential component of risk management. Here’s why organizations should integrate it into their hiring processes:

Early detection of red flags: Identify potentially risky behavior before hiring.
Protect organizational reputation: Prevent scandals from reaching the public eye.
Enhance workplace safety: Mitigate threats, harassment, or discriminatory behavior.
Data-driven decisions: AI tools analyze public web presence and provide actionable insights.

By leveraging online screening software, organizations can transform how they evaluate candidate fit, workplace safety, and employee wellbeing.

Key Takeaways

November 2025 reminds us that workplace misconduct can appear in many forms, from online misconduct to threats and ethical breaches. Organizations that invest in social media background screening can:

Protect employees and the organization
Prevent reputational damage and legal consequences
Make informed hiring decisions supported by AI-driven insights

Screening is not just a preventive measure; it’s a strategic investment in maintaining workplace integrity and reducing the likelihood of misconduct making headlines.

For more information on social media screening, request a demo at www.fama.io.