So, I first had to look up "doxxing" which is to publicly identify or publish private information about (someone) especially as a form of punishment or revenge.
This recently came up when I read about Joshua Strickland, an RN in Louisianna who posted a selfie at the end of his first day on a new job in which he BLURRED out parts of his name tag. He vaguely mentioned a comment from a patient he had cared for that day without revealing any identifying information. He posted it to a FB group and it went viral as so many nurses could identify with his sentiment.
However, out of the thousands of supportive comments he received there was someone who felt a need to report it. So, they utilized technology to "unblur" his name tag and then reported it to his hospital.
He was fired and is currently unemployed.
So....what are your thoughts on this?
Is it okay to post selfies regarding work situations?
You CAN post on social media but as nursing professionals, we must always be mindful of our facility policy. I've worked places where they didn't have an "official" policy, it was just "be careful." And...I've worked at facilities where you undergo hours and hours of training regarding what's okay to put out there and what's not.
Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
2 hours ago, Kyrshamarks said:
This is actually a social media site..lol
Correct, and doxxing can take a highly sophisticated process of deciphering your identity even in this website where the members can use an alias and post anonymously. We should be careful with what we post about our workplaces here as well.
Correct, and doxxing can take a highly sophisticated process of deciphering your identity even in this website where the members can use an alias and post anonymously. We should be careful with what we post about our workplaces here as well.
This!
We all know hacking is very common nowadays, IP addresses are traceable and identities are discoverable.
However, this case was a little different in that someone intentionally went to some trouble to discover an issue where there was no patient harm, the poster attempted to hide his place of employment and there was no HIPAA violation.
What are your facility policies for posting on social media? Are you allowed to use/have your phone on you during your shift?
^^^^This exactly. That is going too far. It is different if you upload a youtube video to a public viewing, but a private group, and someone took considerable effort to unblur a name tag????!!!! That is way to far, and someone really wanted to do him in.
I think a big part of the problem here is the belief that there is such a thing as a "private group" on the World Wide Web. It always surprises me that young people get surprised when something they thought would be private ends up being shared.
I don't know my facility's policy. I do use facebook, but not to talk about work. That is just a bad idea, as is proven over and over again.
Josh seems like a nice guy, but he did something dumb. Sorry Josh if you are reading this- I think you got screwed, but posting day one of a job on social media is just a bad idea- unless it is "I just landed my dream job with the best team in the world!!! Everybody is wonderful, especially my bosses who are have the wisdom of Solomon, and the compasion of Mother Theresa."
Admin in this case acted like jackasses. How about a stern talking to instead of firing somebody?
As far as the jerk who outed Josh- Why assume it is a nurse? You think everybody in that group is a nurse?
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
I am of the opinion that anyone silly enough to post at or about work and don't use good judgment as to the subject matter, the tone and the information given, they pretty much deserve what they get at this point in the game. It baffles me that anyone would think its okay. There is literally zero need for anyone to be learning this the hard way.
I know my company's policy inside and out. I educate others on it.
Is it okay to post selfies regarding work situations?
How about the person who reported it?
Do you know your facility policy?
I realize I'm showing my age a bit here but I don't understand the near-constant need for people to take pictures of themselves (or their food, or the grocery store line they are standing in, etc), comment on everything related to that picture and then send it out to the world. Obsession of so many people as to make me wonder why. Do most people find what I think of as routine banality fascinating?
To answer your questions I think if I was a selfie kind of person I'd only post pictures that I'd be comfortable posting on my HR's hallway bulletin board. If I had to blur anything out I probably wouldn't think it smart to post online, as there would be a reason for the blurring. If there's a reason for hiding, just don't do it.
I also think the person who reported him is a busybody and obviously interested in some kind of revenge or punishment for the one in the picture. There is no valid reason to "out" him as long as it's true there was zero identifying information that could be linked to the patient in question, or negatively reflect on the facility if that part of the name badge was visible.
Yes, I know my facility policy is pretty much what I just said LOL, something HR and I agree on! I know we're not allowed to take any pictures within the walls of the facility no matter who or what they are of, so it stands to reason that would include me taking a picture of myself in work attire.
I realize I'm showing my age a bit here but I don't understand the near-constant need for people to take pictures of themselves (or their food, or the grocery store line they are standing in, etc), comment on everything related to that picture and then send it out to the world. Obsession of so many people as to make me wonder why. Do most people find what I think of as routine banality fascinating?
You and me both! Remember when we used to get angry when someone read our diary? Now we invite the world to see it and get angry when people don't read it/respond. Well, not me, but others!
3 hours ago, Waiting for Retirement said:
I also think the person who reported him is a busybody and obviously interested in some kind of revenge or punishment for the one in the picture. There is no valid reason to "out" him as long as it's true there was zero identifying information that could be linked to the patient in question, or negatively reflect on the facility if that part of the name badge was visible.
I agree. However, in my 54 years of life, I have come to learn that there are people out there who thrive on getting someone else in trouble. This is in every workplace, every educational institution, every club, etc. Think of the old geezers who drive around neighborhoods turning in their neighbors for HOA infractions.
I do not have Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, etc. This is the ONLY forum I belong to. I just do not see any justification for the risk.
I think a big part of the problem here is the belief that there is such a thing as a "private group" on the World Wide Web. It always surprises me that young people get surprised when something they thought would be private ends up being shared.
I don't know my facility's policy. I do use facebook, but not to talk about work. That is just a bad idea, as is proven over and over again.
Josh seems like a nice guy, but he did something dumb. Sorry Josh if you are reading this- I think you got screwed, but posting day one of a job on social media is just a bad idea- unless it is "I just landed my dream job with the best team in the world!!! Everybody is wonderful, especially my bosses who are have the wisdom of Solomon, and the compasion of Mother Theresa."
Admin in this case acted like jackasses. How about a stern talking to instead of firing somebody?
As far as the jerk who outed Josh- Why assume it is a nurse? You think everybody in that group is a nurse?
Agree. We do not know who outted him. And also agree punishment was very harsh
traumaRUs, MSN, APRN
87 Articles; 21,287 Posts
You CAN post on social media but as nursing professionals, we must always be mindful of our facility policy. I've worked places where they didn't have an "official" policy, it was just "be careful." And...I've worked at facilities where you undergo hours and hours of training regarding what's okay to put out there and what's not.
What does YOUR policy say?