Topic: Social Media and it's ill-effects

This blog may seem to be outdated, but on Facebook I see many employees expressing their frustration of residents and their employer on one their 'personal' pages. Leasing agents, Marketing Managers, PROPERTY MANAGERS. Those who are 'friends' and know the individual may act like they agree with hilarious depictions and opinions of crazy stories, but some of us find this degrading and distasteful for the hand that feeds them. It appears we are like celebrities with a Twitter account, finding new ways to diminish our own integrity. How can this be prevented? Are there policies in place, since Facebook is Public Domain?

Hi Scott,
I agree that we definitely shouldn't bash our companies, communities, and residents openly on our personal facebook accounts or any account. Recruiters such as yourself, have every right to look at social media postings when recommending an individual to a client. Just as you have the right to look, individuals have a right to their opinions, too. I guess I would have to have an exact post to review to determine if I can agree or disagree with what you are saying. There is a fine line in the Gray Area of Social Media ...

I am hesitant to say that people shouldn't be able to vent about their work on their personal facebook page, especially if their personal page isn't linked to their business page. That said, if it's something you wouldn't want repeated, you really shouldn't post it online.

However, just as I may vent about work at home or with friends, there may be times when someone might be outspoken online looking for advice or encouragement. At what point do you judge who is "bashing" and who is encouraging conversation? Would you insist on reading the private journal of an applicant? Would you not hire a candidate who refused to grant access and has their privacy settings to allow only friends to view? Do you really need that level of personal information? And, despite your use of quotes in 'personal'... it is PERSONAL. As long as it isn't linked to business, and you don't have people you do business with (vendors, coworkers, residents, etc) as friends, it should be viewed as personal property.

Thanks for the feedback! I'm not looking to justify what is ethically and morally right on behalf of the employee, moreso checking the waters to see if Companies review, and recommend tact on personal social sites of employees. As a recruiter, I absolutely appreciate my right to public domain, and as an employer will act upon it. I have seen several individuals come across my desk because a rap video they shot depicts them smoking pot, showing gang signs, or throwing gang signs. How is vaguely veiling information about resident issues (putting up a rediculous picture of a work order, for example), or telling a degrading story minus the name of the employee/resident so different? I can assume from the responses that this responsibility lies on the individual employer to decide, which I feel should be more standardized. With that all said, I appreciate the appropriately-put stories and all the craziness our Industry has to offer :)