Suspended at work due to Social Media post

[Bules67]

Hi all,

I have been suspended from my job due to a social Media post. The post was related to the recent attacks in New Zealand on the Mosque - in which a Muslim presenter asked "Can anyone on hear give me a good reason as to why they would not stand shoulder to shoulder in support for their Muslim Community today." I did reply "Yes I can - due to my personal experience of receiving homophobia from sections of the Muslim Community and given that over half of UK British Muslims want to see Homosexuality made illegal again in this country - an area that Muslims still refuse to acknowledge or confront - you can count me out" This post was done in my own time - not the companies and my own device - not the companies. This post got a surprising amount of support and attention. A Muslim on facebook contacted my employer (my employer is on my facebook page) and said "why do you employ this person etc".

My company has suspended me and summoned me to a disciplinary hearing. I am absolutely sure if this was vice versa - a Muslim employee stated they were anti-gay and a member of the gay community contacted their employee this would not be happening.

Also what I posted was 100% factual. There was a study done in 2016 that found that 52% of British Muslims want to see Homosexuality made Illegal again in this country. ( Page 117 https://www.icmunlimited.com/wp-cont...us-topline.pdf )

Did work have any grounds to suspend me?

Thanks in advance.

[pt2537]

Ula would be best placed to address this question

[james_law]

I cant really comment much as I dont really know much about this area, however the first point of call is always your contract, does you contract state anything about the use of social media?

[Bules67]

I cant really comment much as I dont really know much about this area, however the first point of call is always your contract, does you contract state anything about the use of social media?

Hi James, no it doesn't there is no Social Media Policy.

Regards

Chris

[ULA]

If there is nothing mentioned about social media in your contract does your company have a separate social media policy?

[Bules67]

If there is nothing mentioned about social media in your contract does your company have a separate social media policy?

Hi ULA, no it doesn't.

[ULA]

If your company does not have a social media policy then are there guidelines in their disciplinary procedures in regard to providing examples of what social media content posted by employees would be considered a matter for disciplinary action, particularly if they, as your employer, can be identified.

You said you have been suspended and that you have been summoned to a disciplinary meeting, the correspondence you received should have given you details of the allegations with a possible explanation of why the company felt possible disciplinary action was warranted, the potential outcome in terms of the form of disciplinary action that may be taken and that you have the right to be accompanied.

How long have you been employed at the company?

[MIKE770]

old thread poster

[MIKE770]

Hello this is an old thread and poster probably left site