Thursday, October 23, 2014

Fired or hired by Facebook

Social networks can be very useful and effective when used in an appropriate fashion. A Facebook page has many potential benefits for your business, school and life. It can connect to long time friends and family or connect with people in a work setting. While some of these benefits are similar to having a website, a number are unique to Facebook. A lot of criticism has been leveled at social media and the effect it has on the way students and employees portray themselves online, as well as how distracting it can be. However, social media offers plenty of opportunities for learning and interactivity, and if you take a moment to think about it, it’s not too hard to see how students benefit from using social media.
Students are experiencing the world through more than just books and assignments; they are learning and adapting to the world using a relatively new form of communication. In a world where connections are important, graduates are coming into the workplace with a lot to offer. Everyone has a Personal identity which is what you truly are like and only your close friends and family know about, it’s the real you. Then you have a social identity sometimes it’s more promiscuous, rebellious, fun, or adventurous. It’s the side you want people to see and the side you know people will be excited to hear news about.  Sometimes your social identity  can get you in trouble with school and the work place, people tend to post things and not think of the  consequences or unintended audiences like co workers, bosses, or family members. The views on this type of situation are mixed. Some people feel that since it’s your personal page and is separate from your work life it should remain that way and someone should not be reprimanded for posting photos of their personal life.
 Recently a Delta flight attendant was fired after she posted provocative photos on Facebook. She, too, filed suit, then settled. She said “Believe it or not, people post things that are mind-blowing,” said Shelley Collins, an administrative assistant in Atlanta. “People just need to use common sense. … I just think your work life should be kept completely separate from your personal life on social media.”
But other hazards could also arise when managers and subordinates become Facebook friends or when companies do online research on a potential hire. I know when I use to work for H&M that had to have specific guidelines and made you sign contracts stating you would not post or defame the character of the company with your "online shenanigans". So it's really all about covering their behind and their reputation.
The other side to this is that people should always be responsible for their actions to avoid unintended consequences when posting something online because once it’s posted its public information; fair game for anyone to use.  I personally feel like some cases are taken too far. For example when we discussed in class the teacher, Ashley Payne she was a grown woman holding two drinks, and there was nothing wrong with that. It becomes a problem when you work for someone and you post something provocative or say something in appropriate while wearing or acknowledging  the company or business you work for, because it is the company’s reputation on the line not yours.  The Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines say the key message in its social media policy is “use common sense to help protect Delta’s image,” according to spokeswoman Betsy Talton.  I believe that is the best solution. It may be unfair in some cases and useful in some but over all people should just be cautious of what they post.



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