The holiday season often brings increased visibility into employee behavior and with it, increased risk. In this episode of #9to5Nightmares, hosts Amy Warren and Micole Garatti reflect on more than a year of tracking real-world misconduct stories and examine why these incidents are becoming more frequent, more public, and more consequential for employers.

This month’s discussion spans several high-profile cases: a customer-facing employee fired after a racist outburst went viral, a delivery driver facing criminal charges for food tampering, and a senior Air Force official resigning after violent and hateful social media posts surfaced. The episode also highlights a real executive screening case involving misuse of confidential company data underscoring that misconduct risk extends well beyond harassment and into ethics, trust, and insider threats.

As personal and professional lives increasingly overlap online, employers are facing a new reality: behavior that happens outside the workplace can directly impact safety, brand reputation, and profitability.

Amy and Micole discuss why the volume of these incidents is rising, how digital-native workforces are changing risk patterns, and why proactive, consistent screening matters across the entire employee lifecycle.

For organizations focused on building safe, compliant, and trustworthy workplaces, this episode offers timely insight into how misconduct shows up and how it can be identified as it emerges but before it becomes a costly problem.

Let’s get into this week’s #9to5Nightmares.

It’s that time of year. The leaves are falling. The wind is breezing. The apple orchards are blooming. And everywhere, people are bracing themselves for the one thing scarier than deep-frying a turkey: Thanksgiving with that uncle.

Every family has one. The boundary-pusher. The over-sharer. The inappropriate commenter. But in the workplace, these “creepy uncles” aren’t just uncomfortable, they’re dangerous.

In today’s social-media-happy world, it’s worth asking: If your creepy uncle’s behavior was posted online tomorrow, would it concern their employer?

Digital natives blur the lines between what’s “personal” and what’s “professional,” because the internet is forever and much of what people share is public. And every year, stories of misconduct, from threatening Tweets to scandalously viral TikToks, show up online for millions to witness. With Thanksgiving around the corner, today’s episode digs into real examples of people in positions of power crossing lines, abusing trust, and leaving digital evidence behind.

Let’s get into this week’s #9to5Nightmares.

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

A DoorDash driver in New York was fired and charged after allegedly filming a naked customer inside his home and posting the footage on social media. DoorDash removed the driver for violating privacy rules. Prosecutors filed felony charges for unlawful surveillance and distribution of illicit recordings. A classic case of misusing access, violating trust, and treating a delivery job like a backstage pass into someone’s personal life. (CNYCentral)

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

A viral TikTok video shows a Texas nurse delaying care of a patient in active labor, resulting in a traumatic birth and widespread outrage against the hospital. The video, recorded by the patient’s mother, captures the patient doubled over in pain while staff reportedly completed admission paperwork. According to the text overlay, the patient had already waited more than 30 minutes in the waiting room. She delivered her baby 12 minutes after completing hospital paperwork, and there appeared to be stress-related complications from the lack of timely care.

Within days of the video being shared online, more than 23 million people had viewed it. The hospital released a statement confirming it is “reviewing this situation to understand what occurred.”

For organizations, the takeaway is clear: What happens in a triage-wheelchair scenario isn’t just a clinical incident. It becomes a full-blown public scandal with potential legal and reputational consequences. (People)

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

A veteran Indian River County sheriff’s deputy was fired and arrested after allegedly using his badge, agency database, and law enforcement equipment to stalk a woman he met online. Investigators say he illegally accessed protected records, created fake profiles to contact her, repeatedly drove by her home in a patrol vehicle, and sent her 23 sexually explicit photos and videos of himself, many taken while on duty and in uniform.

Officials suspect additional victims. The charges include stalking and offenses against computer users, a powerful reminder of how quickly misconduct and abuses of power can escalate over time. (Vero News)

Fama Findings: Allegations Against University Executive

In a recent screening, Fama found a sen

We talk about misconduct so you can avoid it!

As digital natives become the majority of today’s workforce, online behavior is shaping more hiring and HR decisions than ever before. The way people communicate, share, and express themselves online now directly impacts how organizations hire, manage, and safeguard their culture.

New research shows nearly all recruiters (96%) would reject a candidate based on their online content. Misconduct isn’t limited by age, role, or industry. From Gen Z candidates losing job offers over inappropriate posts to tenured professionals facing termination for harmful online conduct, what people share online can quickly become a business risk.

In Episode 18 of 9 to 5 Nightmares, hosts Amy Warren and Micole Garatti unpack three real-world misconduct cases making headlines this month:

#1. Healthcare Employees Fired Over Photos of Sedated Patients

At Jay Hospital in Florida, staff were fired after allegedly taking and posting photos of sleeping, medicated patients. The hospital launched an internal investigation and notified affected patients and authorities, but fallout continued as multiple patients claimed they were offered payments to sign non-disclosure agreements. The patients have contacted attorneys to pursue potential legal action. (Pensacola News Journal)

Employer takeaway: Trust and privacy are the foundation of care. What happens online can quickly escalate into legal exposure and lasting brand damage.

#2. Police Officer Placed on Leave for Immigration-Related Post

A suburban police officer was suspended after social media activity violated department conduct standards. The department’s chief emphasized swift accountability and the importance of professionalism. Reports also revealed the officer had been previously terminated for similar misconduct and later rehired after union intervention. The Police Chief hopes her quick action reassures the community that the department’s responsibility is “to serve and protect everyone’s rights, to ensure a safe community, and remain committed to the highest standards of professionalism." (NBC Chicago)

Employer takeaway: Rehiring individuals with a pattern of online misconduct without addressing root causes can expose organizations to renewed reputational and safety risks.

#3. Former Fiserv Employee Arrested After Online Threats of Violence

A former Fiserv employee was arrested after allegedly posting violent threats toward coworkers on Threads and purchasing a firearm. Threats included comments like: “There is absolutely no calming me down,” “I want everyone around me to die immediately,” “Every delay will ensure I drive faster and get that gun,” and “Every single person who follow or shows up will die a horrible death.” The company’s security team identified the threats and alerted authorities before harm occurred. (Coral Springs Talk)

Employer takeaway: Early detection, ongoing online screening, and rapid response saves lives. Regular social media screening is now a critical component of workplace safety.