When you gaze into the abyss...
Workers of the World, Gripe

“Employers should think twice before trying to restrict workers from talking about their jobs on Facebook or other social media.

 

That’s the message the government sent on Monday as it settled a closely watched lawsuit against a Connecticut ambulance company that fired an employee after she went on Facebook to criticize her boss.

 

The National Labor Relations Board sued the company last year, arguing the worker’s negative comments were protected speech under federal labor laws. The company claimed it fired the emergency medical technician because of complaints about her work.

 

Under the settlement with the labor board, American Medical Response of Connecticut Inc. agreed to change its blogging and Internet policy that barred workers from disparaging the company or its supervisors. The company also will revise another policy that prohibited employees from depicting the company in any way over the Internet without permission.”

While you can’t disclose confidential—or classified—information, there is now legal precedent to prevent employers from firing you for balling them out on Facebook or Twitter. Just be smart and know who is following you on line. While you can’t technically be fired for something you post on line, I’m sure if you tick off the management the truly vindictive will find another way.

Posted 1 year ago
View comments
Blog comments powered by Disqus