Should Workers Feel More Secure About Facebook Postings?

Earlier this month the National Labor Relations Board reached a settlement with an ambulance service company that fired an employee for bad mouthing her boss on Facebook.  The ruling, which compels the company to revise is overly broad rules regarding social media, is undoubtedly prompting other employers around the country to review their policies as well. 

Regardless of the ruling, employees should not take this as invitation to start slamming their boss or co-workers on Facebook or other social media platforms, according to workplace authority John A. Challenger CEO of global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.  “The worker in this particular case was a member of a union.  Most workers are not union members and most work in states that have at-will employment rules, meaning that unless you are part of a legally protected class, employers can fire you for almost any reason.  And, members of Facebook are not a protected class.” 

Challenger says that even if it doesn’t result in termination, bad-mouthing your boss whether on Facebook or at the water cooler is never a good career move.  He also points out that prospective employers could end up seeing your Facebook posts and decide not to hire you.