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<div class="story-body"> <span class="story-date"> <span
class="date">2 January 2013</span>
<span class="time-text">Last updated at </span><span
class="time">10:10 GMT</span> </span>
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<h1 class="story-header">DVLA: Seven staff suspended for posting
"inappropriate" Facebook comments</h1>
<div class="caption body-narrow-width"> <img
src="cid:part1.00080305.03010707@gmail.com" alt="DVLA
headquarters in Swansea" height="171" width="304"> <span
style="width:304px;">About 5,000 people work at the DVLA's
head office in Swansea</span> </div>
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<p class="introduction" id="story_continues_1">Seven office
workers at the DVLA in Swansea have been suspended for putting
"inappropriate" comments jokes on Facebook.</p>
<p>The staff are facing disciplinary action after being caught
writing personal comments on the social networking site.</p>
<p>The driver and vehicle licensing agency employs 5,000 in
Swansea.</p>
<p>A DVLA spokesman said: "The staff remain suspended while
investigations are ongoing."</p>
<p>The staff at the DVLA hold the records for Britain's 32 million
vehicles.</p>
<div class="story-feature narrow"> <a class="hidden"
href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-20886621#story_continues_2">Continue
reading the main story</a>
<h2 class="quote">“<span>Start Quote</span></h2>
<blockquote>
<p class="first-child">Although instances are extremely rare,
any inappropriate postings by staff made outside of work
will be investigated and could result in disciplinary
action.”</p>
</blockquote>
<span class="quote-credit">Spokesman</span> <span
class="quote-credit-title">DVLA</span> </div>
<p id="story_continues_2">Workers are banned from accessing social
networking websites on the computers they use during their
shifts.</p>
<p>But the staff are thought to have posted the remarks outside
work and were later reported to management.</p>
<p>Comments including lewd jokes are also being investigated</p>
<p>A DVLA spokesman said: "Although instances are extremely rare,
any inappropriate postings by staff made outside of work will be
investigated and could result in disciplinary action.</p>
<p>"All staff are aware of the guidance in place and are reminded
on a regular basis."</p>
<p>The DVLA is currently in the process of closing all 39 of its
regional offices to try to to cut costs and drive more customers
to use its online services.</p>
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