I have mixed feelings about the crazy stories that result from Facebook (mis)communications. I simultaneously love hearing them and also cringe at the naievete.
Everybody knows somebody who’s career, relationship or friendships have been broken or negatively impacted by their use of Facebook. These types of stories are newsworthy because there is a tabloid feel to these OMG-did-you-hear tales of woe. This one popped up a couple of weeks ago but I just heard about it.
A 16 year old named Kimberley Swann from Clacton on Sea in England was fired from her job at Ivell Marketing and Logistics Limited after writing on her Facebook profile:
“all i do is shred holepunch n scan paper!!! omg!‘” … “im so totally bord!!!”
The comment is hilarious in and of itself, but Kimberley is not laughing. Is it fair for her employer to leverage this information and fire her? Oliver Marks makes a good point:
Historically a few pints, cigarettes and grumbles after work in the pub has been a popular way to unwind. Management could set foot in the same bar and eavesdrop, but they are more likely to be in a different one grumbling about their staff as well….
I’ve blogged about the ways Facebook has impacted society before, but I’m now feeling more compassionate. Working in this industry we can view disruptive technologies at an arm’s length and observe the ripple effects. To the layperson who creates a Facebook account and uses it as a tool of expression without considering the implications on their job or relationships, it seems unfair to suffer consequences from being honest. After all, there’s no user manual or instruction provided.
So is honest the best policy? I’d say yes — unless you plan on updating your Facebook profile with something that could come back to bite you.
