Be careful Ladies and Gents

[crazylegs]

Someone in the UK has been fired for describing their job as "boring" on facebook, even though their company was not mentioned.

[draggar]

I don't think this is the first time this has happened but unethical IMO. But - with the job market the way it is employers (here in the US) are able to do whatever they want to their employees and the employees won't do anything.

[Rapscallion]

We don't have 'at will' in the UK, though legally speaking someone in their first twelve months of employment can (as far as I understand it) be dismissed for pretty much anything. After that, it's up to the full laws of protected employment.

Rapscallion

[One-Fang]

Well that's got to backfire on them.

Option one - an employee describes the workplace as "boring" on her facebook page. She's hardly a celebrity. Her friends and social circle see it, pretty much nobody else. And the company isn't even mentioned.

Option two - the entire world knows that this named company fired an employee for griping about work out of hours.

Dang. If I were their PR monkey I know which one I'd be taking.

[CaroPhoenix]

Facebook Firing

16-year-old gets fired from her job because she put that her job was boring on her Facebook page

She never mentioned her job so people who were unfamiliar with her wouldn't know where she worked.

[froglet]

I like the last two paragraphs:

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said employers needed "thicker skins" in relation to social networking websites.

He said: "Most employers wouldn't dream of following their staff down the pub to see if they were sounding off about work to their friends."

[tropicsgoddess]

Good thing I set my profile to private...*ducks*

[XCashier]

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said employers needed "thicker skins" in relation to social networking websites.

He said: "Most employers wouldn't dream of following their staff down the pub to see if they were sounding off about work to their friends."

Indeed. Who doesn't kvetch about their job once in a while? And the worst thing she said was the job was "boring"? Sheesh. Considering some of the craphole jobs out there, if boredom is the worst thing about the job, the company could almost consider it a compliment!

[JLRodgers]

This is actually quite funny in a way... she didn't mention the company, but they fired her because she was giving the company a bad name ---- but the firing of her caused the company to be made public which was the only time they got "a bad name".

It's like they fired her because her being fired would cause them to have a bad name.

[blas]

I totally agree......it would be one thing if an employee posted conversations at work and libel.....but to call it boring, not name where they work.....and be fired.....and it makes the news....wow....so who looks like dumbass?

[Kiwi]

this is why I have TWO facebook settings

for workmakes, people from the internet, bosses, doctors, mothers and thos old school friends who friend me who I groan and go "aww crap they found me" etc I have a facebook page that is extremely empty. It doesnt list my work place, no drunk photos etc Im still on FB, I am not ashamed of my behaviour but my boss and my mum dont need to see me drunk! Its also not that I dont like you or consider you a friend. Its not personal, im not trying insult you, but if I havent met you in person, your on the list, its store policy!

For my friends I have a full page, they can see everything.

I used to have it open for everyone, my immigration lawyer put a stop to that quick smart!

[ShinyGreenApple]

Good grief. While on one hand, she probably should have all her Facebook/Myspace settings to private, I think the company is being extremely unreasonable.

So employees aren't allowed to get bored at work?

[Kogarashi]

So employees aren't allowed to get bored at work?

Naw, they're allowed to get bored. They're just not allowed to tell anyone about it.

One more reason I use codenames online instead of real names. That, and I make sure if anything is at all sensitive, I put it under strict filters.

[AirHostess]

1984 here we come The Thought Police will be next.

Disgusting really. She didn't even mention the company. At least it was only a part-time job whilst she is still at school.