Think of Your Job While Using Social Media
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It is wonderful to use social media to share your thoughts, but remember you have a job you may want to keep. In today’s modern society, people are increasingly using Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and other similar social networks. It is a good thing! I am a big believer in social networks. I met my two business partners Arelis Cintron and Brandi Riley on the social network Facebook. I liked them based upon what they wrote on social media. Their blogs, My Pocketful of Thoughts and Mama Knows It All made good impressions on me. When I read what they shared on Twitter or the photos they shared on Instagram and Pinterest I liked what they shared. Their Facebook updates were good and I enjoyed reading them. Their social media presence was good, they had good images and created a good online reputation for themselves.
When using social media, keep in mind, what you say to Facebook you say to the world. Almost every day there are stories in the news about people who lose their jobs or get into trouble at work due to things they post social media. Here are a few examples of things people have placed on social media that they should not have: • Photos of private parts • Racist, sexist or anti-gay statements and opinions • Complaints about co-workers and employers • Threats against the President of the United States People shared these things on Facebook or Twitter thinking they would only be seen by their friends and that there would be no consequences for the things they wrote. However, to the contrary, there were consequences, fallout and many kinds of negative repercussions.
It is important to have internet good sense instead of internet bravery. Many people go to work each day to jobs they do not like, with supervisors for whom they have little or no respect. When these people are at work, they behave in a respectful manner. They talk to their co-workers and supervisors in decent tones and with soft words. However when on lunch breaks or at home, these people talk become mean, nasty, abrasive, rude and even combative when discussing their jobs, co-workers and supervisors on Facebook and Twitter. These people seem to be unaware of the fact that their employers and co-workers also have access to Facebook and Twitter. These people are similar to the people who drink too much and say things they have no business saying.
Your employer may fire you for things you say on Facebook and Twitter. Most people work at jobs where they do not have employment contracts. Many people work in states with “at-will” employment rules. This means the people in those states can be fired for good reason, bad reason, or for no reason at all. Look at the situation realistically, how long would you keep an employee around that bad mouthed you on your payroll. I know for me, no matter how good the employee was, she would have to go if she could not control her social media mouth.
Your words have power no matter if in the real world or online so choose them carefully. What is placed on the internet via social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and the like, has a long shelf life. If you have bad feelings about your job today, you may feel better tomorrow and forgive everyone. But, if you put all your bad feelings on Facebook, all the world has seen it, has access to it and knows you cannot control your mouth. Even if you delete the bad things you wrote, people saw it, they may have saved it, a record of it exists forever. You must choose your words wisely and watch what you as say about your work on social media.
In conclusion, it is wonderful to use social media to share your thoughts, but remember you have a job you may want to keep. So, the question for you this wonderful day is, when using social media, what is the image you want the world to see?
This is so what I was telling someone a while back when they caught their SO being flirty and talking dirty on twitter for all to see.. He doesn’t realize that not only she could see it but also everyone else including employers. Sad, crazy situation that could be life altering if caught!
This should be required reading every time someone signs up for a Facebook, Twitter, etc. account. I know people that have lost their jobs, been kicked out of school, etc. for their social media antics. You really need to think things through.
I wish everyone would think before they typed!! But then again, maybe they don’t have a job that their employer would fire them?
Such good advice here! And I think this is something that people tend to forget sometimes.
Believe it or not there are some bloggers who treat their fans so rudely. I am so puzzled as to how they are even still around! I always practice good sense and morals online!
So true, 2013 seemed to be a cautionary tale for the idea that “personal” social media accounts are not truly personal.
Great advice, I so often see people post things on social media that make me cringe. Especially young adults just getting into the workforce. I got my current job as a social media manager based on how I presented myself on my personal social media.
i tell this to my daughter all the time. be careful what you post because it never goes away.
A word to the wise! I cannot believe what people say sometimes.
Great post! I have heard of so many people actually even losing their jobs over things that have been posted in social media. You can never be too careful what you say that the whole world can see!!!
Oh yes. So important to keep what we say online in mind. Nothing’s ever really gone once we put it out there.
As a blogger, social media is 50% of my job. I am always thinking about it! LOL!
I’m very cautious with what I post on social media. I don’t do foursquare or anything like that because I don’t want my location known to the entire world. I also leave off anything that I wouldn’t want my entire family and the general public to know.
We really can do just about nothing without the risk of it being seen so we always have to be careful and mindful of that. It’s such a different world!
YES! This is so true. I’m always so careful on social media. It’s so easy for people to see what you say these days.
This is a perfect post. I hate when people are unprofessional on social media
once it’s on the internet, it’s on the internet forever. you can delete it if you want, but you just never know who saw it or screenshot it. always think twice! our kids are going to have a lot to think about as they are using social media from day one
I think it is SO important to monitor yourself on social media, especially when you are friends with coworkers. I have witnessed people getting in trouble or terminated because they showed unprofessional behavior.
I was complaining the other day about someone stealing content from my site. Within 30 seconds, my hubby replied to me on Skype saying my post was unprofessional. *rolls eyes* I get it, but at the same time if I can’t be me, what’s the point?
I have heard of people who have lost their jobs by what the post to social media. People really need to stop and think before they put things out there for the world.
Very good advice. I have known some of my fellow nurses who have posted inappropriate things on FB and have been terminated. Since I do have a blog, I try to abstain from anything controversial on my personal FB and twitter accounts.
This is easy for me!! I’m self employed and social media is one of my tools, so I can say whatever comes to mind!
Very wise words & tops.
I try to think of my blog as a business so I don’t mess up!
Great tips. I enjoy using social media and new media to help brands and businesses out too.
I’m amazed at some of the stuff I see posted on Facebook, and other social media for that matter! The internet is a big place with not a lot of privacy and I think it would be a good idea for high schoolers to have a “social media” class that shows both sides of the coin! We don’t need to see a picture of you in your towel, hear about your poop, or your boss’ zit!
Exactly! This is a reminder I think a lot of people need!
Amen! I see so many people use social media as a diary. Upset? Call your best friend, don’t broadcast it for everyone to see. It’s scary how the internet makes people forget to filter.
I think it’s a great idea to stop and think about what you’re going to say on Social Media before you actually say it. People don’t realize that the things that they say and put on their Facebook and Twitter CAN and WILL affect their jobs.
So true. People don’t realize that when they say or post something on their social media sites, it’s out there for good. Once things are public, they’re out there for anyone to see.
I don’t post anything I don’t want my grandma to read. (She’s friends with me on Facebook, too.) Basically if I wouldn’t say it to her – or in front of her – I wouldn’t want my employer to see it.
This is a very wise post and a great topic. I think a lot of younger people do not realize the impact social media can have on their jobs. Thanks for sharing!