My old coworker in Denver got fired for a joke he posted on a private account

He made a dumb joke about our boss on a locked Twitter account with only 50 followers, but someone took a screenshot and sent it to HR. They said it broke the company's social media policy, even though his profile didn't mention the company at all. Has anyone else seen a firing happen over something posted on a totally private account?

3 comments

3 Comments

evahenderson13d ago

Honestly, companies have to protect their image. A private post can still get out and hurt the business. It's fair to have rules that cover all online behavior.

park.miles13d ago

That "private account" thing is a trap. I got burned years ago posting about a client on what I thought was a friends-only page. Screenshots travel fast. My rule now is if you wouldn't say it in the office break room with the boss standing there, don't type it anywhere a phone can take a picture. Companies look for any reason they can find.

the_susan13d ago

Park's right about the break room rule. I treat every single post like it's public, because screenshots make privacy settings pointless. Assume anything you type can and will be used against you.