An employee is smiling while looking at a laptop screen. An employee is looking at a smartphone.

Case Study Three

Social Media in and out of the Workplace

A group of coworkers have become friends outside of work on Facebook. They share their posts, pictures, and special events from their home computers during off hours. Suddenly, one of them started sharing images with sexual jokes, remarks, and innuendos. Then came a few comments like, “This one looks like Sam and Aimee from work."

How would you classify the group’s conduct?

The correct answer is unacceptable

Social media communications are often classified as a gray area because they are believed to be protected by freedom of speech. In this case, even though the conduct took place during off-work hours on private devices, it potentially affects the work environment, so it should be considered unacceptable conduct.

The key thing to remember here is if someone is communicating inappropriately with or about fellow employees, it can affect the work environment and therefore policy can apply. Also, keep in mind that most organizations always reserve the right to monitor their own equipment, computers, and communications infrastructure for potential abuse.