Thethingsilikeaboutme265’s Blog

Using Facebook has it’s pros and cons.  When updating your status on Facebook, you may want to choose your words carefully, especially if your page is public or if you have co-workers as friends.   

We’re beginning to hear more and more how employers are checking your FB page and using what’s on your page as a tool to decide whether or not to hire or fire. 

When it comes to firing.  This case in February revolutionized getting fired because of FB.

Peter Roosen and Tatsuya Nakagawa offers some dos and don’ts when using FB:

1. Don’t do it during work time unless you have permission to do so. Better yet, don’t use it at work unless you think it will get you a raise. Commission sales people are less likely to get in trouble over this than someone working in the accounting department.
2. Don’t post anything that you wouldn’t feel comfortable posting or discussing in the lunchroom at work. Some people got busted for posting photographs of things that went on at parties.
3. Remove comments posted by others that can get you into trouble. Edit them directly or ask whoever posted them to remove them.
4. Raise your privacy settings. Be mindful that these settings only prevent the average user from digging out the information. Assume there is a chance that the information can still leak out.
5. Do not ever admit to anything even remotely resembling a crime. Cops and prosecutors know how to use Facebook as well as anyone. You’ll have a hard time undoing such an admission, even if done as a joke. If your boss doesn’t really like you, Facebook might become a good place to turn to find dirt that can be used to get rid of you.
6. Don’t disclose personal information that you are not comfortable having out there. Birthdates are a crucial piece of information used to identify people that might be better left out of your profile.
7. Monitor your information.Google your name often, set up alerts and let people know what your expectations are for personal information. Let your close friends know where you stand so there are fewer issues. This is especially important for the photo junkies who like posting potentially embarrassing photos that may have you in one or more of them.
8. Be considerate of others when you are posting things. If your friend just started a new job as a Whitehouse intern, don’t start posting stuff that won’t make it past the watchdogs.
9. Don’t discuss confidential stuff online. If you aren’t sure, err on the side of caution. Don’t be afraid to ask someone before going ahead and posting something.
10. Be careful if you mix your personal and business online. People often make the mistake of carelessly mixing personal and business contacts. Be somewhat more conservative with your business than your personal contacts to minimize this source of potential problems.

For more information visit: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/management/how-to-avoid-getting-fired-by-facebook.html