social media problem

[Fruit Sucker]

I have a social media account, and on the account I only add people I know personally. However, I have encountered a problem anyway- there was a discussion about gay rights, and I said something somebody disagreed with. I said that whether you agree with gay marriage or not, the law prohibits discrimination and people have to obey the law. I also said that as a nurse I do not discriminate against anyone, and I happen to support marriage equality 100%.

Well, this person took exception to what I said, and threatened to contact my employer and tell them that I'm a racist and I should be fired. (I know, racism had nothing to do with the discussion. I'm not sure why they went there.) Well, I didn't make any further comments and I immediately unfriended the person.

What I want to know is, in the unlikely event that this person follows through on the threat, what should be my course of action? Anyone who knows me knows that I am not in fact a racist, and my job would know this too, but I am concerned now about this individual causing trouble. I'm just astonished at how crazy people can get over something like this.

[VANurse2010]

Unless this person was a patient under your care, you have nothing to worry about. If they terminate you because somebody on FB says you're racist, they are only exposing THEMSELVES to liability.

[RubicsCube]

Is there more to the conversation? Otherwise, doesn't sound like anything to report.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

I would take a screen shot of the whole discussion with your computer's time and date visible just in case but I doubt there's any risk.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

I never bring up my job or being a nurse on social media. And I wouldn't worry about it.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

This person is clearly an idiot. If you unfriended him/her, he/she shouldn't be able to see your posts any longer. From what you shared, it doesn't sound like race was discussed at all so the threat is baseless.

In the event that this person contacts your employer (which I highly doubt and I more doubt that your employer would take a complaint from some random person on facebook seriously), you'd have a defamation case on your hands.

I also defriend people when they spew homophobic nonsense on Facebook.

[MunoRN, RN]

While employers do occasionally take action based on what they say on social media, I doubt any would base their actions on a ridiculous interpretation someone else made of your comments, they would interpret your comments themselves. Making bigoted comments on social media could and has cost people their jobs, although I doubt expressing your disapproval of bigotry would negatively affect a nurse's employment.

[Libby1987]

In addition to unfriending I'd block them, then they can't see anything you post on mutual friends' posts.

[ponymom]

Fakebook is rediculous at best, but I digress...

So, How could one be considered a racist if they support equality?

[EmergencyRN22]

Why can't adults act like adults?!

Its mind blowing when people get their panties in a twist just because someone else has a different opinion.

Id block that person in every way possible. Quite toxic of a person ...

[Dany102]

I don't think you have much to worry about here. This sounds to me like a boisterous and empty threat. Some people are just that shallow...

You did the right think by removing this person from your list of friends.

[Fruit Sucker]

Thanks guys. I was really taken aback at this person's response too. Scary to think how a person you consider an acquaintance would lash out at you like that. I really doubt the person will follow through on it now that I read everyone's comments, and it does seem I would have legal recourse if it did happen.