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Should a boss be able to enforce disciplinary action based on an employee's Facebook posts?
Results so far:
| Yes | 27% | 270 votes | Total: 982 votes | |
| No | 73% | 712 votes |
Yes
by Jonathan Victor
Created on: November 18, 2010
More employers than ever are searching for a prospective employee's online presence before agreeing to hire them. This is, in a way, like a new form of background checking. And once an employee is hired, they should also expect that their online behaviors can easily be sought out by employers looking to find them.
Like it or not, what you post on the internet is being entered into the public record. It is generally bad internet etiquette to lurk online and look for posts of family members and friends. Generally though, people are a lot more uninhibited by what they post online of themselves. In public, a lot of people would not say the sorts of things they do online in Facebook status updates.
That being said, if an employee is engaging in actions they would not be proud of their employer knowing about, they shouldn't be posting them online on Facebook as evidence. Online posts are basically leaving a very public paper trail. A lot of employees are shocked that, although they have their boss added as their friend on Facebook, they are getting reprimanded at work for lying about calling in sick, when their most recent status is an update about how drunk they got the night before. Photos that are posted on Facebook can be just as incriminating.
When you are hired for a job a lot of consideration is given for your qualifications but also for your character. Are you responsible? Do you have integrity? A lot of people want to keep their work life and their home life separate spheres. Facebook has changed that, because you can have almost anyone added as a friend on that website. Your boss, your grandma, your neighbors. And when you post how much you hate your boss as a status update on Facebook and your posts are public, don't be surprised when your boss decides to either fire or discipline you for your words. It is one thing to vent your frustrations privately. Almost everyone does this. But Facebook takes private thoughts and puts them up into the public sphere.
Just like in real life, if you are lying to your employer about your actions, there are going to be consequences. Up to and including your termination. If you care about your job security, you should take a little more care in what you post online, even if it's just on something as “harmless” as Facebook.
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No
by Volecia Plafcan
Created on: November 16, 2010
Facebook is a social network with lots of laughs, jokes and roasts (you might say). I do not think a boss should be able to enforce disciplinary action based on an employee's posts. Personally, that would be low-rent in my opinion.
Of course, if the posts were made during working hours, all the boss would have to do is tell the employee that he/she is there to work - not socialize on the 'net. If the posts are about the boss, then he asked for it by snooping (eavesdropping). I just don't think I would add the boss as a friend but, if he decided he wanted to, he would have no problem reading posts which I am sure many have.
This just wouldn't be ethical, it seems, if he were satisfied with your work and if another employee told him about the posts, then, that should tell you where that employee is coming from - meaning he is seeking attention from the boss or trying to put you in bad favor.
First of all, if you have something to say about the boss or something that would jeopardize your job, tell somebody - don't put it in print, where there will be evidence, and don't say it around a witness. I really don't like to advise someone this, but, if you just have to say it, do it as I have suggested. This person might agree with you. If not, can't you just see him now whimpering in the broom closet after the boss gives him up one side and down the other when you are adamant you didn't say it. Isn't that the way it works now in the work force?
A boss who likes spunky people, like the ones who post on Facebook, just might get a kick out of it and see you in a different light, then, forget all about the disciplinary action. But, just be careful what you say, when everybody in the world has access to this site.
I imagine you could talk any disciplinary action, should there be any, over with a boss, and come out smelling like a rose. That is, if you don't work for the feds. I hear they are kinda harsh with their employees. But, even then, I still think it would be unethical unless, it would mean the safety of our country.
Just be careful of the friends you invite or the ones who invite you. Since you are around co-workers every day, why would you want them as friends? And, much less, your boss.
Learn more about this author, Volecia Plafcan.
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