Facebook Policy

nurse2be2010 · May 30, 2010

My facility just released a social networking policy last month (April 2010). To sum it up, we are not allowed to discriminate or negatively impact our facility on any social networking site such as twitter, facebook, myspace etc. or we will be terminated.

I didn't see anything on the policy about not being allowed to say "I'm going to work" but I'm sure the policy will change and it will prohibit us even more.

WarmBlanket · May 30, 2010

Found out that my facility is working on a facebook policy. No big deal, no reason anyone needs to play on facebook while working and it is blocked on the computer, but many people have blackberries.
The thing that bothers me a little is that they're wanting to make it a policy that no one can mention going to work on facebook. Such as I might change my status to "working all weekend." I really don't see how this is any different than telling anyone on the street that I have to work the weekend and there's nothing they can do about that.

While I agree the policy is asinine, you might want to give some thought about telling everyone in town that you will be working all weekend. How about changing your status to "I'm working all weekend because my house is infested with rattlesnakes" ?

Your TV will thank you.

Liddle Noodnik · May 30, 2010

Found out that my facility is working on a facebook policy. No big deal, no reason anyone needs to play on facebook while working and it is blocked on the computer, but many people have blackberries.
The thing that bothers me a little is that they're wanting to make it a policy that no one can mention going to work on facebook. Such as I might change my status to "working all weekend." I really don't see how this is any different than telling anyone on the street that I have to work the weekend and there's nothing they can do about that.

I do have a problem when people ID where they work, either in their conversations on FB or in their information. But if they don't mention where they work, I don't see why they would have a problem with it.

I have seen some grievous violations of HIPAA on FB, I'll tell ya. Or complaints that IDENTIFY specific coworkers. Not cool!

And if they are saying somewhere on FB where it is they work, they really need to watch how they reflect that facility, IMHO

RNperdiem, RN · May 30, 2010

If people used more sense and good judgment, then these policies would not exist. It only takes a few bad decisions to ruin a good thing for the rest of us.

Katie5 · May 30, 2010

The thing about this is that sometimes, we get so caught up in these social networking sites, that we forget how they can negatively impact on others.

So if there is a restriction, then you play by the rules. Where you work is sort of a brand, and no one would want hurtful things said about their brand.

Besides if one hates a place so much, for peace of mind, I would think it would be best to seek elsewhere.

MassED, BSN, RN · May 30, 2010

I think the only thing they might have an issue with is if you have on your "information (about you)" where you work. Or your friends have on their information of where they work. People can deduce where you work and who you might be. If you have a public profile, I could see that raising some issues. Some people provide way too much information, or are affiliated with their job on Facebook. Some people have a group with their job. I think it's too much too.

I have also heard of people having two separate FB accounts - one for professional and one for social.

Zookeeper3 · May 30, 2010

Now if I was to go and post I work at "#$$%^$%#$" hospital and the pay sucks, I can't take care of my patients and all my meds were passed late.. my patient got into trouble and the stupid doctor just ignored me....

Well I can see if someone is that dense the facility has a liable issue and your up the creek. I've posted things, just this week saying something like "at the valley, full moon on a holiday weekend...." Well everyone here knows where the "valley is" but I said nothing nasty towards my hospital.. only the impending doom... I'd be OK.

Your employer has every right to demand protection for itself for negative blogging posts that it cannot possible monitor and keep up with that will present them in a negative view. I am not allowed to write to the local paper, comment to a reporter or say anything negative. We have a behavioral policy that prevents this.

While I'd love to write the local paper and be published, I recognize that I have a duty to my employer to handle issues internally through the designated channels. Sure I wish I could just rant my fool head off to anyone that will listen, and I could, but my facility is then not obligated to keep me on staff, should I be so disgruntled. Make sense?

If your employer has the resources or potentially does to monitor things like facebook... you need to remember who pays your salary and keep it in check.

Anytime you feel the need to post anything to a public forum decide in advance if it is worth the risk for you

laynaER · May 30, 2010

I don't see the big deal in people knowing where you work. I'm not ashamed, it's not a secret, and that information is public info anyway. You use your name and social for your job so that information is easily accessible by anybody who wants to get a hold of that info. Second, nobody is going to tell me I can't say that I'm going to work on MY profile while I'm on MY time. This is why my profile is absolutely private, no one can see what I have inside of my profile unless I give them permission to, and perhaps you shouldn't be facebook friends with people you work with anyway. Snitches are everywhere and the same ones you laugh and joke with at work are the same ones who will snoop into your profile, find incriminating things, print them out, and get you in hot water.

Besides, I don't see how it's any different from going out with your girls for dinner and saying gee it was a busy day I'm tired....if they are going to start controlling what you do in your private life on a social networking site, the next thing they're going to do is say 'you can't tell anybody where you work, when you're going to work, you can't even talk to anybody about work regardless of whether or not its your husband or your mom or your best friend."

Give me a break. Stay out of people's personal lives.

lkwashington · May 30, 2010

Sometimes facebook can be dangerous. Posting when you leave home, someone may break into your house. Everyone needs to be careful what they post on Facebook or any networking sites. We dont know what may happen to any of us. Nowadays the way some of us unable to find a nursing job you may want to take this in consideration. Somethings need not to be posted. Just a thought.

Zookeeper3 · May 30, 2010

i don't see the big deal in people knowing where you work. i'm not ashamed, it's not a secret, and that information is public info anyway. you use your name and social for your job so that information is easily accessible by anybody who wants to get a hold of that info. second, nobody is going to tell me i can't say that i'm going to work on my profile while i'm on my time. this is why my profile is absolutely private, no one can see what i have inside of my profile unless i give them permission to, and perhaps you shouldn't be facebook friends with people you work with anyway. snitches are everywhere and the same ones you laugh and joke with at work are the same ones who will snoop into your profile, find incriminating things, print them out, and get you in hot water.
besides, i don't see how it's any different from going out with your girls for dinner and saying gee it was a busy day i'm tired....if they are going to start controlling what you do in your private life on a social networking site, the next thing they're going to do is say 'you can't tell anybody where you work, when you're going to work, you can't even talk to anybody about work regardless of whether or not its your husband or your mom or your best friend."
give me a break. stay out of people's personal lives.

work for a right to fire state... at a facility that has a zero tolerance policy... and i'll be reading your posts as your unemployed and your prior facility that has terminated you has prevented any hiring possibility in your future.

your employer can and will fire you if there is a policy in place that clearly defines your external actions. to think differently will result in you posting .... "i was fired from a facebook post... and i can't get hired.. help".

meandragonbrett · May 30, 2010

It's quite simple really.....Don't be friends with anybody you work with and keep your profile private to your friends only.

The people you work with are NOT to be trusted when it comes to your employment status. I don't care if they are your best friend in the entire company. Nobody is gonna cover your back but yourself.