Jason Dozier, the after-school staffer, listed “Chillin wit my n——-” as one of his activities; his page also featured a shirtless photo accompanied by a suggestive exchange with a female Facebook friend. Because his job is classified as “at will” employment, he does not have the right to appeal his firing, CMS Chief Communication Officer Nora Carr said Monday.
A high-school special-education teacher has been suspended for using a Facebook “mood box” to post “I’m feeling p——- because I hate my students!” Carr said it is likely she will also lose her job; officials will decide today.
I firmly believe that at work, you should be judged on the basis of your work — not on the basis of your personal life. This is like firing someone because they’re having an affair on their own time. Just because social indiscretions are more obvious on facebook or myspace or wherever else you choose to expose yourself, doesn’t make it right to fire someone on the basis of what they do in their personal time. Are they acting professionally and respectfully at work? Are they turning out admirable work at work? Then what the heck do you care what somebody does during the hours between 5 PM and 8 AM?
If they’re not doing their work up to snuff, fire them for that. Don’t fire them over what’s on their facebook page.
And for all you morons out there who haven’t figured out privacy settings yet: figure it out. It will make your life much easier.
I think that if your postings/online life have nothing to do with your work life, then have at it - what you post on your time shouldn’t affect your job. But if you’re posting ABOUT your job? Especially if you work with kids and you’re insulting them? Then I think disciplinary action is warranted. That’s just bad judgement.
