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.
Don't post where you work on Facebook or Twitter. Lock your account so only your friends can see it. Please don't friend any co-workers either. I see nothing wrong with what you posted. I posted something very similar as well. You didn't say anything racist. Just be super super careful with social media. Remember not everyone is your "friend. "
I am a controversial **** stirrer on facebook, but I'll never get called on it. Hint: don't use your real name on facebook. Keeps work and family lengths away from you where neither need to be.
Just a word of advice, OP. Never put your place of employment on social media. Go and take it off. Literally now. When you list your place of employment, it can be used against you should you enjoy lively political debate--regardless of the subject matter. But highly unlikely that your anti-bigotry stance would count. (Eh,unless you work for a religious organization hospital--even then, a stretch...) Do not discuss you are a nurse, do not discuss your place of employment. Ever.
That blurs the lines between personal and professional. This person sounds like they were just plain nuts. What you believe or think in your personal life should not have anything to do with your employment. So keep the 2 very separate.
Unlikely to change the minds of anyone who is that crazy with their views, I can and do unfriend anyone who writes discriminatory nonsense on my page of social media. But then again, anyone who knows me personally knows better.
THIS!!! Unfortunately, depending on your facility's policies, if you list your place of employment on your social media account then they could make the argument that you represent their organization, for which you could face disciplinary action for your comments. As jadelpn said, remove the fact that you are a nurse and remove your place of employment right away. And this is precisely one of the reasons why I deleted my FB account a long time ago.
I woudn't think twice about it. Any employer that is worth anything would dimiss this person's complaint, unless you have a history with this sort of issue.
Just a word of advice, OP. Never put your place of employment on social media. Go and take it off. Literally now. When you list your place of employment, it can be used against you should you enjoy lively political debate--regardless of the subject matter. But highly unlikely that your anti-bigotry stance would count. (Eh,unless you work for a religious organization hospital--even then, a stretch...) Do not discuss you are a nurse, do not discuss your place of employment. Ever.
That blurs the lines between personal and professional. This person sounds like they were just plain nuts. What you believe or think in your personal life should not have anything to do with your employment. So keep the 2 very separate.
Unlikely to change the minds of anyone who is that crazy with their views, I can and do unfriend anyone who writes discriminatory nonsense on my page of social media. But then again, anyone who knows me personally knows better.
Maybe it's because I don't have people on there I don't know, but I don't agree that you necessarily must never have your place of employment or profession on social media. Everyone who knows me knows damn well I'm an RN and where I work. I also know how to use privacy settings, which apparently most people don't.
I woudn't think twice about it. Any employer that is worth anything would dimiss this person's complaint, unless you have a history with this sort of issue.
I think you're probably right. I suspect I just had a reaction and there's not much to worry about.
Well, the thing is that I do only have people I know personally on social media, and all those people know I'm a nurse. I don't have my place of employment listed on there, but it wouldn't take much research if you know me to figure out exactly where I work. I mean, this person is someone I know and I really doubt she would ever say such a thing in real life. We live in different states now so most of our communication is via social media and email...I feel people get all kinds of attitudes on social media that they wouldn't if they were talking to you on the phone. It's frustrating, but I feel social media is the best way I can keep up to date with people who don't live nearby.
I recently had a friend (a real life friend) who I had to delete from social media because he made a crass insult at a mutual friend. I know he wouldn't have done it in real life, and it really bothers me that people get into this habit. I make it my policy not to say anything on social media that I'd be embarrassed to say in person.
NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN
10 Articles; 19,184 Posts
Moved to AN's Nurse Colleague / Patient Relations forum. Previous threads here may offer additional advice.