When posting on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, a Blog, or anywhere online, be careful what you write or upload.
The same applies for anything you send to your co-workers on Snapchat or Messenger. Workers can sabotage their own jobs by being too honest online about their personal lives or by posting negative comments about a boss, a customer, a co-worker or the company.
Your employer can hold you responsible for what you post online. Never believe that “what happens online, stays online.”
You should assume that anything you put on a computer or in a text message can become public knowledge. Many companies monitor mentions of their brands on the Internet.
If you’re looking for a new job, always assume that a potential employer will do an online search of applicants’ names. It’s best to make your profiles private and remove all photos or posts that may hurt your chance of getting a job.
Bullying and Harassment in the virtual world
Bullying and harassment by a co-worker doesn’t just happen at work – it can happen online too. The wider use of technologies – such as mobile phone, email, social media sites – has created more spaces where bullying, harassment and sexual harassment may occur. Some employees use work phones and lap tops for personal use. People make friends in workplaces and sometimes the line between work and personal time is blurred.
It is important to remember that your behaviour and the way you communicate with co-workers when using technology, such as social media, can be deemed workplace bullying and/or harassment and in some cases, particularly if the behaviour is sexual in nature, can be a criminal offence.
Most employers have policies regarding the use of social media which sets out unacceptable behaviour. It is important you are familiar with this policy.
Remember: You shouldn’t send or say anything online to a co-worker that you wouldn’t say face to face at work.
Here’s a few things to remember:
- Don’t smear, threaten or harass managers or fellow workers – or anyone else – online.
- Never spread malicious rumours or information online – even if you don’t mention the person by name, often a manager can identify who you are referring to.
- Remember that even if your profile is private, anything you post is ‘in writing’ and can’t be denied.
- Anything online is just a screen shot away from spreading quickly or ending up in the wrong hands.
- Don’t post photos of people accompanied by negative or derogatory comments.
- Don’t post or share photos/images of a sexual nature
- Don’t write back to online bullying in a manner that could also be classified as bullying or better still, don’t respond at all.
- Always take screen shots of any online bullying as a record and save them.
What should you do if you’re being bullied or harassed online by a co-worker?
- You should tell the person that you’re uncomfortable with their behaviour and ask them to stop.
- If they continue their actions online, tell your supervisor or manager to take action using the Company bullying and harassment guidelines.
- Keep a record or screen shot any bullying or harassment.
- Contact the SDA for help: we can provide support and advice and work with you to stop this from happening. You’re not alone.
Remember! You have a right to work in a safe environment free from bullying and harassment.
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