ALT-3 Things on your Facebook Account that can get you Fired
Facebook. One of the greatest inventions of modern times. Inspiration for one of the best films of 2010. Helping to make the world a smaller place. I’m sure bosses and Human Resources do not take such a positive view. The tiny world of social networking means disciplinary action associated with Facebook is getting more and more prevalent.
That said, getting fired because of Facebook is relatively difficult, and the issue remains a contentious subject in newsrooms and boardrooms alike. Facebook and other social networking websites hold a “Wild West” style reputation, where actions considered unacceptable in the workplace can go unpunished in the virtual world. A landmark case in November 2010 saw a woman (unjustly?) fired over disparaging comments made about her boss via Facebook. It is a touchy area, and to justify such cases, more companies than ever before are drafting out social media policies—to lay out in black and white what can and cannot be said on Facebook.
Examples of these black and white issues are as serious on Facebook as they are in the work place. Harassing or bullying comments left for co-workers will really put one’s job at risk if placed on Facebook and reported on-line. Setting up groups to the same effect will also see the employee hounded out of the door, usually on allegations of gross misconduct.
A common argument when it comes to employees defending their actions on Facebook is ‘free speech’. Fair enough; many disgruntled workers set the world to rights when they log on to Facebook in the evening “I had the worst day today”, “Work sucks” etc etc. Free speech can be a legal minefield, but no employer will tolerate discriminatory comments, posted to induce hate. Other similar Facebook postings which would put a job in jeopardy would be messages of support or joining groups affiliated with terrorism or organisations promoting terrorism and/or discrimination. Just being associated with such groups or people is seriously ill-advised.
Whether or not a company does has a Social Media policy, they are likely to have an Information Protection policy. This will likely forbid the sharing of ‘classified’ or private information which is exclusive to the company. A common pitfall of many employees is confusing press releases and news with private information such as organisational structures or financial information. Another example relevant to my line of work in hotels is putting the names of famous guests on Facebook (e.g. “Wow! I checked in Madonna at the Grand Hotel today!”. Such behaviour is a serious breach of confidentiality and is likely to result in disciplinary action or dismissal.
In many businesses, the easiest way to get fired because of Facebook is by simply clicking the button labelled ‘Login’. For many, accessing Facebook at work will have serious ramifications. Unless someone uses Facebook for recruiting (a whole different can of worms) or the Marketplace, it is best not to even risk logging on. In a similar vein, using Facebook to look up co-workers’ contact information, even if used for totally innocent purposes, can be deemed as harassing behaviour.
Of course, for every black and white reason that can get someone fired, there is a grey area, difficult to define as a ‘no no’. These things are unlikely to result in employees getting the boot, but let’s just say such behaviour is not really going to aid their chances of promotion. The most common grey area is photos. How many of us have photos on Facebook we are not proud of? Pictures of us, in a nightclub, dancing like David Brent? Chugging a stein of beer with no shirt on? Stood with a group of friends, flipping the bird for ‘comedy effect’? Even a picture of someone smoking or sporting an oft-hidden tattoo can alter an employer’s perception of someone. And this is just it—the most dodgy pictures can do is damage a workers’ reputation.
Another form of non-dismissal-related career subside is posting comments about your job, boss or co-workers on Facebook. Comments like “My boss is a pig” are unlikely to get someone fired, but are not really advised (obviously). Other comments such as an associate giving away the fact they are moonlighting, or on a social adventure when they called in sick, are likely to result in an earful, rather than dismissal. In these cases, it does depend on the local Social Media policy the organisation has in place. However, it must be said if an employee is warned for comments or pictures on their Facebook account and continue to ‘break the rules’ then dismissal may follow.
So when it comes to the all-powerful, all-consuming Facebook, what is the best course of action? Close your account? Stop going out? Keep schtum? Definitely not—simply do everything you can to keep your Facebook life and your private life apart. Don’t add your boss as a friend, even if they add you. Give serious consideration to adding co-workers, especially those who are known for gossiping.
Even though the threats from getting fired by Facebook are low (despite Facebook groups highlighting the frequency of such occurrences), the dangers of getting in trouble are high. If employees act on Facebook like they are expected to act in the workplace, there shouldn’t be any issues (hopefully!). And finally, many employers use Facebook to screen applicants, so if there are dodgy pictures or comments on someone’s Facebook account they may end up losing a job even before they have even been offered one.
