According to Debbie Reeves, people don’t always use common sense, courtesy, and kindness when posting on their social media accounts.
Reeves, Account Executive with Lamar Advertising Company, said it’s especially important for sales professionals to avoid posting derogatory content about people or businesses because clients read that content.
“Even if your remarks are personal opinions and protected by the law, our words have consequences,” she said. “Just because you can say something, doesn’t mean you should.”
Reeves was one of more than 100 local business professionals who attended the May Women in Business Program hosted by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce. Guest speaker and local attorney, Katrell Nash presented “Avoid the Legal Landmines: Social Media in the Workplace.”
Nash presented various cases of employees who lost their jobs because of posts they made on their personal social media accounts. For example, a math teacher was fired for posting pictures of herself using drugs and drinking alcohol. Some of these pictures were taken in her car outside of the school.
Others have been fired for posting negative information about their manager, company, or customers.
“Employers are looking at your personal accounts,” she said.
In most cases, these terminations are upheld in court because many states, including Georgia, are at-will states, meaning an employee can be fired for a verifiable reason or no reason at all. The only exception is if an employee can prove the termination was based on discrimination due to his or her sex, religion, or other factors.
While some argue such terminations violate their First Amendment rights, Nash said that protection only applies to government agencies, not private employers. Many small businesses and corporations have social media policies. She said these policies should be specific, and businesses should review them with their employees.
Ashleigh King, the human resources business partner for Textron Specialized Vehicles, said when her employees violate the company’s policy, she refers the problem to its compliance department.
“If it comes to our attention, our compliance team works closely with our legal team to determine appropriate action,” King said.
