According to Proofpoint, an Internet security firm, of companies with 1,000 or more employees, 17 percent report having issues with employees’ use of social media. Furthermore, 8 percent of those companies report having actually dismissed someone for their behavior on sites like Facebook and LinkedIn. Some other interesting findings from the study:
- 15 percent have disciplined an employee for violating multimedia sharing / posting policies
- 13 percent of US companies investigated an exposure event involving mobile or Web-based short message services
- 17 percent disciplined an employee for violating blog or message board policies
So, how do you avoid getting fired when using social media? What are the things which will, most probably, get you fired? Here we go with another Thoughtpick fun-fact list with a point:
1. Speak ill of your boss or manager
Example: “I hate my job!! I want to tell my bosses how dumb they are and how meaningless this job is, then quit, and be happy!” Revealed by CNN.com
2. Post publicly that you are looking for a job, when you already have one
Since we all know that social media is not really a place to share private thoughts, I’ll bet you a thousand bucks that if you do post that you are looking for another job, someone, somehow, will make sure you boss knows about it! (Even worse, he hears about it right before your appraisal!)
3. Share company information with your friends through Twitter or Facebook
It’s bad enough that you can’t trust people you work with in terms of company information, try publicizing that information on your “private” Facebook account, or better yet, your personal blog that is supposed to be read my only “close” friends!
4. Bad mouth other employees on your Facebook or Twitter account
“I’m having dreams about killing one of my colleagues!” is not a phrase you should share! Even if it was just a “reaction” to a situation you felt strongly about at one point or another, try to keep it in! Someone might actually take it seriously – or even worse, they might just complain about you to management claiming that you are not a team player!
Sharing Too Much!
5. Post pictures of yourself while committing illegal acts
“Employers have increasingly begun to use Web sites like MySpace.com and Facebook.com to screen applicants and current employees”. Daniel Abasolo
I don’t think any company would allow its employees to abuse drugs, even the mellow type which is smoked! ;) If you are looking to get fired, roll a joint, even a fake one, and place it in your mouth as your profile picture! This might even get you in jail – if that’s what you fancy!
6. Post pictures of yourself while committing acts that do not match your company’s ethics or code of conduct
For example: Let’s say you work for an organization dedicated to protecting animal rights, if you are aiming not to get fired, make sure you don’t post a picture of yourself choking a cat - with a caption that goes something like: “Die you little devil!”
7. Use your blog or Facebook account to share rumors about your workplace
Let’s say you heard a rumor about a certain employee in your workplace. Sharing this rumor would hurt other employees and can cause loss of trust throughout the team. This might get you fired, or at least, it will cause you to be left out!
8. Confess personal matters through venting on your blog or Facebook account
You are going through a rough time and you need to vent so you choose social media to do so and you get really personal; describing your mental and emotional instability, mentioning your thoughts of suicide or just telling the world that the “pills” are making you calmer. If this gets to your employer, you might be fired because they NEED somewhat “stable” people at the workplace!
9. Share contradicting or controversial information on Facebook
For example:
Jason Brown worked with the Colleton County Fire-Rescue for the last three years. He was fired in mid-February after posting a controversial video on his personal Facebook page. Brown said some think the video is racist. He said it was just meant to be funny.
10. Use social media excessively
Always remember: whenever you use social media, someone out there is able to track the time you are wasting there! Whether you are playing Cafe World or simply posting new status updates periodically, you run the risk of getting caught and fired!
Example of Using SM Excessively
So? What do you think about this list? Can you think of something else which could get you fired? And do you think this is fair? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts below.
Socially yours: