The Costco Connection - December 2017

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.