If you think your boss is an idiot, you should think twice before ranting and raving about it on your social media site.
Your First Amendment rights play little part in saving your job after posting something of that nature; in fact, it is very legal. Even if you love your job, this should be upsetting because your right to express your opinions outside of work is being monitored and judged.
Corporations that fire their employees for unsettling posts are not technically violating the Constitution. The First Amendment protects our freedom of speech by not allowing infringements on our liberties acted by the government — not private employers — and if you’ve ever signed paperwork before being hired, most jobs have you know that your position can be terminated with or without cause. This is a recipe for disaster.
If many Americans are unsatisfied with their jobs, shouldn’t we expect workers to blow off some steam? In most cases, a Facebook status is harmless.
Unless a worker is deliberately saying dangerous or threatening words toward their boss, place of work or co-worker, his or her position should be safe. Employers need to remember the age-old saying: Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt.
Of course there may be some distasteful posts, but employers should have more important concerns.
This has become such a problem that Germany drafted a law in August making it illegal for private employers to “befriend” workers on Facebook, and is not allowed to read up on applicants by using Facebook.
In the UK, the British Law Society urges caution when using Facebook, and that it could invite unfair dismissal claims. In the US, there seems to be a gray area because there are no laws or acts that specifically protect us from termination when using Facebook.
Companies place a high importance on workers who care about their label and brand as much as they do. This is an ideal situation, but it also may be unrealistic.
Corporations have a brand to protect, but Americans also have the right to protect their freedom of speech. Maintaining your job security shouldn’t have to require careful postings in your private life.
As of now, it seems like the best advice we can take is from Britain. Americans are going to have to resist the urge to tell it like it is online because our freedom of speech is being overlooked.
The term freedom of speech — something we hear so often — is taking a drastic turn and mocking those who were fired, and holds only irony when it comes to your Facebook post.
Merina Mesa is an advertising junior and may be reached at [email protected].
