Can an Employee Be Fired for Pictures Put on Facebook?
Facebook has become a common part of peoples' lives -- so much so, in fact, that rarely a day goes by that many people don't comment on what's going on in their lives. People also commonly post pictures of their daily activities on Facebook, usually using a mobile device like a phone to post the pictures as the event being photographed is taking place. While you may think that people could not get in trouble or even fired for posting pictures on Facebook, the reality is that it happens all the time.
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Skipping Work
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One way that posting pictures on Facebook can get you fired is if you decide that you're going to call in sick and instead skip out on work to go somewhere else. Posting pictures of your whereabouts, when you were scheduled to be on the clock, is one sure way to get yourself canned. This is especially true if you have added your boss as a Facebook friend and forget that your boss will read your posts and view your pictures the next day.
Posting During Work
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Another way to get fired over posting pictures on Facebook is if you make the mistake of doing it while you're at work. Many companies have developed policies forbidding the use of company computers for social networking purposes. Others have even had to go so far as to forbid the use of cell phones and other devices used for social media while employees are on the clock. If your boss checks your Facebook updates and sees that you were posting pictures while you were on the clock, you may end up losing your job.
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Content
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The type of pictures you post on Facebook could also get you fired. For instance, if you work in public relations and are one of the people whom your company regularly utilizes in dealing with the public, posting pictures of yourself in certain compromising situations may not be the image your company wants to convey. The Huffington Post reports that New England Patriots cheerleader Caitlin Davis was reportedly fired for posting distasteful pictures that included some antisemitic graffiti.
Information Leaks
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An additional way to get fired is to post pictures on Facebook that reveal sensitive or even classified information. For instance, if you work in the defense industry and just happen to post a snapshot of some classified technology, you could not only be fired, but also even accused of espionage. The same is true regarding the leaking of information in written form. Don't give away company trade secrets on Facebook if you want to keep your job.
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References
- Photo Credit Thomas Northcut/Photodisc/Getty Images
