Facebook Post Derogatory Comment About Boss

[Iggle Piggle]

Can a company discipline a staff member because of a derogatory statement made about the company boss on a personal Facebook page?
It appears a ‘friend’ whistle-blew and reported the comment.
(With friends like that, who needs enemies…)

[rowanwitch]

Was it true? Can you prove it was true, if it appears in any written format to be seen by a third party could it be considered libellous? you may end up thanking good fortune that it costs a bomb to sue someone. Discipline at work might be seen as getting off lightly.

[Maydup]

Have a look at your contract if employment or Social Media Policy. There’s probably something that refers to your online profile and not bringing the company into disrepute.

[Maydup]

If so then yes you can be disciplined.

[Prudie]

In my view Maydup is spot on. If it was my company yes they would discipline you because we have a social media policy.

[Iggle Piggle]

Hi Rowan, the statement, whilst harsh was true.
It’s quite scary how companies can wield HR powers over personal social media posts.
If my employer saw my Twitter account, I’d be in some real trouble!!

[ToraToraTora]

if you say it on twitface it's very likely going to get back. Don't say it on twitface if you wouldn't say it to their face.

[Peter Pedant]

yes
you really should be aware of things like this

Facebook is NOT immune in anyway from the law OR your company's disciplinary process

and no it is NOT like Mrs Mopp saying something you said, because on Facebook, it is still there

[Peter Pedant]

If my employer saw my Twitter account, I’d be in some real trouble!!

It looks like you need to some serious deletion....

[douglas9401]

I really only go to work so they'll pay me, I couldn't care less about the ways of those in charge, not my problem day to day.

Making public personal comments though is neither big nor clever.

[THECORBYLOON]

"It’s quite scary how companies can wield HR powers over personal social media posts."

It's scary how many employees forget what is in their contracts or conditions of service, assuming they bothered to read them in the first place...

[jno]

depends on a few things - how derogatory, how factual, how many people saw it, what's in your contract or company rules generally. Wise bosses of big companies amy decide to turn the other cheek; sensitive bosses in small concerns may feel personally insulted.

[Electrochem]

Many companies monitor what job applicants and employees put on Facebook and other platforms. It seems that a lot of people who put such posts up don't think before doing so. I knew three people who were disciplined for posting crass comments after a Christmas Party. They were drunk, but that is no excuse. If you bring the company you work for or any other colleagues into disrepute, then you deserve to be disciplined.

[barry1010]

It will badly affect relations between boss and employee, could even make the working relationship untenable. Can result in dismissal https://www.myhrdept.co.uk/latest_news/employee-dismissed-for-facebook-posts/

[barry1010]

I wouldn't employ anyone who I knew had made derogatory comments about his former workplace on social media. Loyalty and respect counts for a lot. Save the rude remarks and venting for private conversations within your own home.

[rockyracoon]

I'd get a written warning at best, booted out of the door at worst. Not that I post incendiary stuff on social media, but I don't have work colleagues as friends on any of accounts, no matter how friendly I am with them.

[Maydup]

Your Twitter Account is even more visable than your FB account which can be set as private. So now they have been alerted to your online posts, you need to get deleting anything that might be considered inappropriate by your employers.

[Iggle Piggle]

To me a personal comment on social media should be the same as making a comment to your mates in the pub. A good laugh and that’s it. It shouldn’t become an issue of litigation and interviews by management!
What a sad little world we live in.

[Iggle Piggle]

No worries Maydup, it’s my wife’s Facebook account I’m on about. My Twitter account is an alias and untraceable. I don’t use Facebook!

[Peter Pedant]

a personal comment on social media should be the same as making a comment to your mates in the pub.

it isnt

[THECORBYLOON]

"To me a personal comment on social media should be the same as making a comment to your mates in the pub."

Is a wee chat with pals down the pub able to be heard by anyone in the world when you say it and for months and years later?