Watch out! Bosses are saving money by firing employees over Facebook posts
Filed under: Extracurriculars, Technology, Career, Identity Theft
Click at your peril. In the past few weeks, more companies have been snooping through the online universe in an effort to bring their workers in line. Virgin Atlantic airline fired 13 employees for what they said on Facebook. The charge: The employees "brought the company into disrepute." The evidence: a discussion that said its airplanes (their workplace) harbored cockroaches and that its customers were "chavs," the British slang equivalent of "white trash."As the economy sours, companies have an incentive to expunge workers from their payrolls, and evidence of insubordination makes for some solid ammunition for a quick firing. Which is probably why more axe men are poring through the social networking sites. British Airways workers at London's Gatwick airport are also under investigation for spouting off on Facebook. The transgressions there happened in a closed group where posts complained about "smelly" passengers, American accents, and people who briefly hold boarding passes with their teeth while going through departure checkpoints.
Naturally, companies don't want to look bad. And it's also lousy judgment for opinionated employees to bite the hand that feeds them by complaining about their bosses in a place where they can easily be caught and identified. Let Miss Manners address morality, though. I'm more skeptical about whether employers have the right to dump you merely for having a negative opinion of where you work. I'm also wary of any boss who chases down the details of a worker's personal life.
Granted, both of those incidents happened in the U.K., where laws are tighter when it comes to what you can say in public. But I question the legality of this kind of thing on our own shores. Just this week, a cheerleader for the New England Patriots was chucked from the squad after her bosses found a distasteful photo of her posing with a drunken friend. There were some other issues there, too (defamatory body graffiti, the fact she's under drinking age), but all the same, her career suicide began with a discovery on Facebook.
Leave crime out of it. As long as the statements are true, don't condone or admit crime, and don't spread trade secrets, there's not much legitimate damage that can be traced to a measly post. Calling the customers of a business you work for something like "white trash" is in poor taste, but even poor taste is protected by the First Amendment, which is something George Lopez should get on his knees and thank God for daily. Besides, some of the things that got those airline employees in the doghouse wouldn't have brought a batted eyelash if they had been uttered over a beer instead of via a keyboard.
Presumably, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways would have been thrilled if the Facebook posts praised the food and the service of their fine flying institutions, so the mere act of talking out of school is not really the issue. They really want to control what's said.
I once worked for a TV game show that forced me to sign a confidentiality agreement barring me from discussing the specifics of my job. (Despite the gag, the paycheck was lousy.) Jobs that put employees in the spotlight frequently come with a range of image-related stipulations. Spokespeople and clergy must abide by certain standards of behavior, and actors are often required to stay out of the sun lest a tan make them turn a funny color under theatrical lighting. But in all of those cases, they agree to the rules at the start of their employment.
How about more average jobs, such as working at Wal-Mart or in the trenches at the Winn-Dixie? Without signed agreements in place, do you think companies have the legal right to fire employees if they whine on their own time? When you're on Facebook, after all, you're clearly labeled as an individual and not as an official spokesman. And as long as you're not disseminating trade secrets, is there any real damage to account for?
When an employer buys your time by hiring you, does it also buy your approval?
Update: And it's happened again. Texas Longhorn lineman Buck Burnette was just sacked for calling Obama the n-word through his Facebook status message.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
11-06-2008 @ 12:44PM
Gary E. Sattler said...
Virtually every employer I've ever worked for has had a policy which prohibits it's employees from engaging in conduct off the job which could be detrimental to their employer.
Of course, these matters are subject to interpretation, but even as a staunch defender of the First Amendment, I don't have a problem with employers protecting their own interests and the interests of their other employees..
People should be thoughtful about what they post on the Internet.
Additionally, cell phone transmissions are not Fourth Amendment privileged communications. Your employer, or anyone else for that matter, may listen to, and record your cell phone communications. They can then use them against you.
Think before you communicate, people.
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11-07-2008 @ 7:04AM
Chuck Barlow said...
I agree with you 100%!
If employers are engaging in unfair or unethical practices that is what the division of labor and EEOC is for, posting stuff on the internet takes things out of perspective, alot of bad people in blogospere!
11-07-2008 @ 7:22AM
joncdodge said...
While I agree with Gary, these comments here are in such a serious tone...survival of the fittest...
Read why I got fired...
http://www.curiousread.com/2007/12/why-i-got-fired.html
Jon
11-07-2008 @ 9:02AM
LeeAnn said...
GARY, I could not agree with you more! There is a certain amount of decorum that must be adhered to whether you work at the local Wal-Mart or as an Executive Assistant on Wall Street.
If the person(s) who posted on FACEBOOK, were that disenchanted with their respective jobs, all they need to do is find employment elsewhere. However, the grass is NOT always greener on the other side and they might be jumping from the frying pan to the fire!
11-07-2008 @ 1:17PM
Chuck said...
Well said!
11-07-2008 @ 2:44PM
Sick Fixx said...
That is the biggest load of bullshit I have ever heard. You're probably okay with random car searches, red light cameras, random HOUSE searches. After all, 'you don't have anything to hide', right? Appeasers like you will destroy any semblance of liberty we have left.
11-06-2008 @ 2:31PM
Hey you said...
The assumption could be made that the employees are badmouthing the company to its customers. If someone is disgruntled at work, they are probably harboring negativity toward their daily functions at work, too. Customers notice that stuff.
Two things have to happen: Americans need to grow up and start acting like adults with a job to do. You're paid to be there, so stop acting like a spoiled child and get back to making the company money. Stop being a selfish twit and thank your boss for keeping you employed. He/she is the one waking up 20 times a night to worry about the health of the business. So do your damn job and stop whining about only getting 2 smoke breaks a day. Grow up.
And the second thing: Companies need to remember that happy employees are the best marketing for the company. Treat them like crap, read their emails, watch every minute of every day, snoop on their online activities, and pay them miserably and you will get what you pay for. Companies need to recognize the unfair burden they sometimes put on employees (reduced pay, long hours, limited vacation/sick time) and start appreciating that happy employees make the company a lot of money.
So basically everyone needs to start respecting the other for their position as an employee or an employer.
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11-06-2008 @ 2:35PM
Hey you said...
One more thing: your cell phone is not your life. Keep it on vibrate during the day and only answer calls when you're not busy or with a customer. It blows my mind how rude people have become about their cell phones. You really DON'T need to talk to little Suzie or Billy for 20 minutes after s/he gets off the bus. One minute is fine. A cell phone break is not a God-given right. Call your buddy back after work or during lunch. The more you chatter on your cell phone, the more your company will assume it's cool to call you on the off hours at home. Duh, people. Give and take.
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11-07-2008 @ 6:29AM
dawn said...
thank you for beingso forthright!!! I wasrunningerrand the other day encountered one person whom expected a tip from me fora service rendered butwas on the cell phone the ENTIRE time preforming the service?? No I think not!! and two other places along the way both in say the mall or the super market both people who helped me on the cell phone the entire time!! People its rude!!! Get the phone off your ear get back to some customer service, and one more thing as a school bus driver, stop calling your kids on the school bus its distracting!!! we survied without cell phones before provide adequate care forthe kids and dont worry about it, they dont want to hear from you . believe me you should hear them complain!!!
11-06-2008 @ 3:15PM
nick said...
Yes if the man pays your salary he expects wheat he expects. The only thugs who get away with such stuff and government workers and union folks. That is what is wrong with this country, they want to spread the wealth around without working a good 8 hours for the boss. If you want this type of job go see brother obama and get on with the ACORN, Move On Dot Org, HUFFINGTON POST, MSNBC, and the rest of the left wing nuts who want to turn this great nation over to the government.
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11-07-2008 @ 2:53PM
Lil said...
The kind of workers you refer to, and the supervisors who allow it,(because of their various short-comings from laziness to fear), were around before Affirmative Action, Unions, or the U.S.A. It has nothing to do with liberals or conservatives, any one person or organization. It is one side of human nature to get away with whatever one can. Even raising your children by example of your tough, disiplined, loyal work ethic won't get rid of it completely. Stop and think before you blame and label, and you will sound more intelligent.
11-06-2008 @ 4:42PM
Clara said...
Good gosh, if you want to blog, why do it in a way that identifies you? As for cell phone usage at work, your singleness of purpose while at that job for 8 hours a day is to do the boss's bidding, not talk to your kids, book a vacation, discuss poltics.... If you don't want to do that, let someone who wants the job have it.
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11-07-2008 @ 6:36AM
dawn said...
the cell phone thing is out of hand people who are spposed to offer customer service as part of their jobs have that phone in their ear not doingtheir job. I drive fora living and parents call their kids all the time its relentless.Give them a break. Ifthey areon the bus. Chances aretheyaresafeand okay. They need some breathingspace parents. You should hear them talk about you guys.Do all of drivera favor dont call your kidswhile they are on they bus, it distracts the bus driver from doing our jobv safely . If Johnny is going to Tommy hous figur it outthe daybefore, dont call and assumethat is all good just becasue they have phonesthey are under 18 raises a whole other issue about cell phones dont you think
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11-07-2008 @ 7:09AM
Betty said...
WHY ON EARTH WOULD PEOPLE USE THEIR "REAL" NAME ONLINE? THAT IS SIMPLY STUPID
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11-07-2008 @ 7:09AM
gt maverick said...
Just more corporate BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING DOMINATION, Sure spend time and money snooping on employees and fire them for what they say on their off time, go figure, rather than use the information as positive feedback and look into the remarks and maybe correct the problems and make it a better company.On the other hand , Employees are never satisfied, and soon robots or automation will be the norm then what will the complainers do ?
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11-07-2008 @ 7:14AM
Will said...
Big clue folks. The 1st amendment right to free speech only involves Federal government restrictions. It goes, "Congress shall make no law ....abridging free speech...". If your employer thinks bad mouthing him in public is a firing offense, you're out.
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11-07-2008 @ 7:13AM
gene said...
Just more corporate BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING DOMINATION, Sure spend time and money snooping on employees and fire them for what they say on their off time, go figure, rather than use the information as positive feedback and look into the remarks and maybe correct the problems and make it a better company.On the other hand , Employees are never satisfied, and soon robots or automation will be the norm then what will the complainers do ?
Reply
11-07-2008 @ 7:12AM
gene maverick said...
Just more corporate BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING DOMINATION, Sure spend time and money snooping on employees and fire them for what they say on their off time, go figure, rather than use the information as positive feedback and look into the remarks and maybe correct the problems and make it a better company.On the other hand , Employees are never satisfied, and soon robots or automation will be the norm then what will the complainers do ?
Reply
11-07-2008 @ 7:58AM
reiley said...
the cheerleader getting "chucked from the squad" was a completely different situation.. and it was rediculous to relate it to this story.
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11-07-2008 @ 7:23AM
Steve said...
I say confiscate the wealth of these CEO's and put them on the street. Time to take them down several notches. Give their ill-gotten gain back to the American people. It was the workers who made the wealth not the CEO's! They just sat on their fat asses all day conspiring how to fire employee's.
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