FabSwingers.com forum: Bullying and social media policies

By *G Lana OP TV/TS
over a year ago

Gosport

Most large companies now seem to have anti-bullying policies but also have policies making it a disciplinary offence for staff to post negative comments about the company on social media. Isn't the second one breaching the first at an institutional level?

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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago

Somewhere in North Norfolk

Interesting question.

On the face of it, I'd say yes, but then should biting the hand that feeds you be acceptable?

Then again, it should be possible to expose wrongdoing and unacceptable behaviour within organisations.

I can see both sides.

It requires more consideration.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

I don't think asking staff not to post negative comments on social media is bullying it can cause massive damage. As long as they listen within the company and don't hound whistle blowers out of a job but sadly that's common.

The problem with social media is that one person with a grudge might have 5,000 friends

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Most organisations have whistle-blowing polices, taking to social media to bad mouth - air grievances about company you work for is not the right route.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

"Most organisations have whistle-blowing polices, taking to social media to bad mouth - air grievances about company you work for is not the right route.

It's a bit like naming and shaming on fab

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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago

Somewhere in North Norfolk

"I don't think asking staff not to post negative comments on social media is bullying it can cause massive damage. As long as they listen within the company and don't hound whistle blowers out of a job but sadly that's common.

The problem with social media is that one person with a grudge might have 5,000 friends"

Is the threat of disciplinary action asking staff not to do it though?

Also, who decides when a comment is negative? Obviously some are clear but I can see room for misinterpretation and misunderstanding.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It's a useful indicator of the attitude of your employees - I wouldn't want someone working for my company who was dim enough to slag it off all over social media.

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By *enard ArgenteMan
over a year ago

London and France

Of course it isn't.

If your contract or code of conduct includes that; then that's perfectly fair.

There are elements to not posting about your employer on social media;

1. There are commercial issues if you post stuff about their finances, etc which could give competitors an unfair advantage.

2. Saying things which are out of context , or just simply untrue which would damage the company.

3. Unfairly Bringing employer into disrepute .

4. Many employers who deal with sensitive data, or with personal details of people, are perfectly entitled to restrict what is listed; it is too easy for someone to accidentally reveal personal details of someone ; and indeed, if that happens, the company can be held liable for breaching confidentiality, since you are their employee , so to some extent, they are responsible for your behaviour and actions .

On the other hand, if you are genuinely whistle blowing on a real issue; then it's perfectly legal for you to do so. However, there are far more effective ways of whistle blowing.

But someone blowing off on social media just because they have had a bad day, or got a grudge with their manager is not good.

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By *G Lana OP TV/TS
over a year ago

Gosport

Whilst I accept that companies need to protect their reputation the wording and training on these policies is often very draconian, implying serious consequences for even a single relatively benign comment being made.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"It's a useful indicator of the attitude of your employees - I wouldn't want someone working for my company who was dim enough to slag it off all over social media. "

Very true, it would raise a conflict of interest! Surely if it's whistle blowing there are governing bodies or avenues you can go down before social media

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Whilst I accept that companies need to protect their reputation the wording and training on these policies is often very draconian, implying serious consequences for even a single relatively benign comment being made."

Read the comments immediately above your post.

Sums it up pretty well I think.

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By *G Lana OP TV/TS
over a year ago

Gosport

"If your contract or code of conduct includes that; then that's perfectly fair."

Contracts for some will pre-date social media and just because a company imposes new codes of conduct, possibly with no level of staff consultation, doesn't automatically make it acceptable behaviour on behalf on management. Lets face it it may well have been a disciplinary offence for Sports Direct staff to post comments about being paid less than the minimum wage.

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By *risky_MareWoman
over a year ago

...Up on the Downs

I believe it would come under the concept of 'Fiduciary duty'. If companies were responsible and people had loyalty it should not be necessary of course.

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By *heOwlMan
over a year ago

Altrincham

One could also argue that posting negative comments on social media is also a form of bullying. Afterall a company is, in simple terms, a group of people working together, therefore any negative comment against the company is also against all the other employees.

Owl

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By *ust RachelTV/TS
over a year ago

Horsham

[Removed by poster at 31/08/16 09:14:03]

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By *iamondjoeMan
over a year ago

Glastonbury

Read the comments immediately above your post.

Sums it up pretty well I think."

Yes, and organisations like the NHS, with well-established routes for whistle blowing - those turn out well, don't they?

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By *ust RachelTV/TS
over a year ago

Horsham

It is one person's perception of the company, this put into social media can effectively wreck a company due to one bad apple.

If you have issues with the company deal with them in a grown up manner, not slag the company off on Facebook or what ever else you use.

Also don't forget putting some pictures on social media, can be classed as a breach of security depending on where you work.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"It is one person's perception of the company, this put into social media can effectively wreck a company due to one bad apple.

If you have issues with the company deal with them in a grown up manner, not slag the company off on Facebook or what ever else you use.

Also don't forget putting some pictures on social media, can be classed as a breach of security depending on where you work."

Totally agree in the fact that if you have a grievence you take it to your line manager or HR department not to social media so yes I think big company's are right in saying this. You don't bite the hand that feeds you as said above

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