Facebook, work and privacy

[Lebea]

My Facebook page is set so only a few friends (15) can see anything I post.

I made a post were I called a client of my boss a few bad names. One of my friends thought it would be funny to email my manager a copy of the post.

I have now been accused of publicly posting about a client on Facebook, and damaging the business. Even though my Facebook page is set so only my friends can view it, my manager said it only needs one person to view the post and it is then considered as being public. Is that true?

Would he have to show there was damage to the business?

[leclerc]

Re: Facebook, work and privacy

My Facebook page is set so only a few friends (15) can see anything I post.

I made a post were I called a client of my boss a few bad names. One of my friends thought it would be funny to email my manager a copy of the post.

I have now been accused of publicly posting about a client on Facebook, and damaging the business. Even though my Facebook page is set so only my friends can view it, my manager said it only needs one person to view the post and it is then considered as being public. Is that true?

Would he have to show there was damage to the business?

Yes to be blunt with you. The only thing negative that you can post about a client is something that is in the public domain.

Never assume anything you write on the internet is private because if you have work colleagues on your profile then they will undoubtedly stick in the knife for no apparent reason.
I assume this has not lead to anything more than a telling off? If that is the case, learn the lesson, NEVER post about things to do with work that MIGHT get you into trouble no matter what your facebook settings are.

[EXC]

Re: Facebook, work and privacy

Do you mean in a legal or employment context?

[Lebea]

Re: Facebook, work and privacy

Ok so it is public. My bad ☹️. Does that mean every time you say something to someone, online or offline, what you say has become instantly public? If that's the case you would never be allowed to discuss work with your family at home or friends.

How would they show damage to the business as I never named the client and I deleted the post after a few hours?

It has led to a disciplinary.

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Do you mean in a legal or employment context?

I didn't know there was a difference.

[Openlaw15]

Re: Facebook, work and privacy

My Facebook page is set so only a few friends (15) can see anything I post.

I made a post were I called a client of my boss a few bad names. One of my friends thought it would be funny to email my manager a copy of the post.

I have now been accused of publicly posting about a client on Facebook, and damaging the business. Even though my Facebook page is set so only my friends can view it, my manager said it only needs one person to view the post and it is then considered as being public. Is that true?

Would he have to show there was damage to the business?

How is that remotely funny? But why would you post something about a client? When you do stuff like this you are putting your own employment at risk, as you're breaching a relationship of trust/ confidence with your employer; and or potentially libelous; and or contract damages for loss of reputation (although it's very rare apparently). If anything it'll more be about claims in tort (breach of duty, and compensation) only if you have the money though. Let's just hope that nothing comes of it and you'll have learnt your lesson. If the client find out, why would they use the services of your employer, if you want to look at it that way.

NB: I'd have swift words with your friend though....only stupid friends put their apparent friend's career at risk.

[Lebea]

Re: Facebook, work and privacy

But why would you post something about a client?

We was having a discussion about people we have to deal with at work. It was no different then if we had the discussion on messenger, or if we all sat in my house and discussed it. But people seem to think it's the end of the world the minute you mention Facebook.

[leclerc]

Re: Facebook, work and privacy

We was having a discussion about people we have to deal with at work. It was no different then if we had the discussion on messenger, or if we all sat in my house and discussed it. But people seem to think it's the end of the world the minute you mention Facebook.

Lebea, if you and I have a discussion off the internet and I repeat it to your boss then you can deny you ever said that. However, on facebook messenger and on facebook you leave a permanent record of it.

It's strange we are having this conversation because I am reading a book about public shaming and there is a case of two women who basically were messing around in the US photographing each other in stupid places, ie smoking in front of a no smoking sign. She worked for a charity that dealt with children with special needs. On a trip to Arlington Cemetery her friend took a picture of her with her middle figure raised whilst being shielded by her other hand in front of a sign saying Arlington Cemetery and respect. She believe her friend's settings were absolutely not public. That picture cost this woman her job and she was so publicly humiliated that she didn't leave the house for 6 months. (Jon Ronson "so you've been publicly shamed" is the book).

We have to get out of our comfort zone that having our facebook setting sky high or believing that no one would stab us in the back. The most important people I know and trust, I'd speak with them face to face. I'd NEVER post it on facebook because it only takes one idiot to pass it onto the boss and that could end your career. Personally, I'd be blocking and unfriending that person as well.

[wales01man]

Re: Facebook, work and privacy

Put stuff on facebook or in a message at your peril
Never put anything in written form in any media that you would not say to someones face especially someone who passes it on

[Openlaw15]

Re: Facebook, work and privacy

We was having a discussion about people we have to deal with at work. It was no different then if we had the discussion on messenger, or if we all sat in my house and discussed it. But people seem to think it's the end of the world the minute you mention Facebook.

Facebook is not a personal diary - it's community network of millions -anyone can see what is typed unless it's private message. It's ok to talk about your family ie events., friends telling you they're having a bad day. But this is where the line should stop, it's not like gossiping with friends casually at home over a bottle of wine or lounging in pjs eating ice-cream/ chocolate to some Rom-com. It affects people's lives, is what we're saying so naturally they'll feel angry.

[Lebea]

Re: Facebook, work and privacy

anyone can see what is typed unless it's private message.

Thats the thing, anyone can't see what is typed unless you allow them to. It's irrelevant now as apparently whatever you say is public even if said in private.

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I'll definitely be watching what I say from now on, even to so called friends.

[leclerc]

Re: Facebook, work and privacy

Thats the thing, anyone can't see what is typed unless you allow them to. It's irrelevant now as apparently whatever you say is public even if said in private.

You allowed your facebook friends to see it and one of them shared it with your boss. Do all you facebook friends work with you?

[Lebea]

Re: Facebook, work and privacy

Out of the 15 I work with 9 of them. The other 6 are family members.

[leclerc]

Re: Facebook, work and privacy

Out of the 15 I work with 9 of them. The other 6 are family members.

You posted about a client of your boss in which 9 of his colleagues could read. It's as good as printing it out and posting in the staff room for everyone to read.
What we are getting at is that one of your colleagues might have said that they did it for a laugh but did they not think that there might be consequences?
Do any of your colleagues post the same types of things?

The basic rule of facebook postings about work is that you can say things like "I've had a bad day" or "shit day at work" BUT you never expand on that in a public way especially facebook/twitter et al. I hope you take on board what has been said.

[Amethyst]

Re: Facebook, work and privacy

Does your company have a policy in place regarding social media use ?

Sadly I think you'll have to take the disciplinary and be as contrite and apologetic as possible. Don't fall into the trap of 'other people do it' or anything like that, just you weren't thinking/had a awful day etc and you now realise it was completely inappropriate and will ensure nothing like that ever happens again. Presumably you have removed the post now ? Did you keep a copy ? ( just in case it was embelished when reported to your manager)

[Lebea]

Re: Facebook, work and privacy

You posted about a client of your boss in which 9 of his colleagues could read. It's as good as printing it out and posting in the staff room for everyone to read.

They were my colleagues, who I thought I could trust. None of us are friends with the boss, he is just our boss. We have drawings of such clients in our staff room which we all contributed to and scribble similar things on when the mood takes us. There are no names on them but everyone knows who they are meant to be. They would cause actual damage if a client saw them but as its in our staff room nothing has ever been said about it. I'm not saying it's right, it's just how we are as a team and picking certain clients to pieces lightens the mood and gets you through the day some times. That's how we were online, in private, until this one friend went and changed all that.