Employers can legitimately discipline employees for some situations they get into while away from work, but there are some general guidelines.  First, the employer is obliged to conduct a proper investigation and prove the guilt of the accused.  Second, if a worker is to be disciplined for off-duty conduct, then the misconduct rule should be worded in a way that includes misconduct off the job.  Third, for an offense to warrant discipline it should in some way affect the employer’s image or product.  Fourth, if a law enforcement agency has an investigation in process at the time discipline is imposed, the discipline may be untimely.