If you are sharing something on
social media that’s a problem for
your boss, maybe you should be
re-evaluating what you’re sharing
on social media.
—Bob Bekkerus
There is an inherent power differential in a relationship between a boss
and an employee. When a boss has
access to the sort of personal information that is typically posted on
social media, it sets an employee
up to be vulnerable, and vice versa.
—Stacee Compton
Facebook is a way to share your
hobbies, family and friends having
fun, so if you have nothing to hide,
why not? If your boss wants to
find out about your life, they will—
whether you’re FB friends or not!
—Jacqueline Villanueva
It’s a very bad idea for a myriad of
reasons: One, you run into the age-old harassment issues; two, if an
employee is not allowed into your
golden circle, you have favoritism
issues; finally, there are sharks out
there—people who are bored or
unhappy with their own lives who
will use any personal foibles they
can discern from your Facebook or
Instagram postings against you.
—Rock DeAugustine
As employees and employers, we
should create a culture of trust
and respect that starts inside and
extends outside of the workplace.
However, we must always remember that what we choose to share
on social media about our personal
lives can be used by others to form
perceptions of who we are.
—Trey Arrington
I admire and respect my boss,
but he’s not my friend. At times I
choose to be silly, vulnerable or just
downright profane with my friends
and family, which is very different
than how I choose to present
myself professionally. I don’t want
to censor myself in real life.
—Valerie Baptiste
Should bosses and
employees friend each
other on Facebook?
BOSSES AND their employees see each other every day at work and
may even see each other as friends. But should they friend each other
on Facebook as well? Some say yes, if you know how to set up some
online restrictions. Others argue that it’s inappropriate on Facebook
because of the power imbalance, but OK to connect on professional
networks such as LinkedIn.
What do you think?
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS TOPIC.
On the internet, search:
• Should you be friends with your boss on Facebook?
• Sticky situation: Should you accept your boss’s Facebook invitation?
• Five Facebook mistakes to avoid in the workplace.
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