Supervisors FB Friends with Staff?

LeAnna, RN · Apr 7, 2011

It depends on if you want your supervisor to have access to all your posts & info. If not, then no big deal. If yes, then don't be "friends". Also, there's tons of people on FB that have hundreds of friends. Are they really close to ALL of those hundreds? No. It's not like if you're FB friends that automatically means your best friends. It all comes down to what you're comfortable with that person seeing and reading, like "jollydogg" said, don't be posting how hungover you are then call in sick. I'm FB friends with co-workers, my supervisor, and the surgeons i work for and it's never been a problem.

Mudder · Apr 7, 2011

Asking for trouble. I am very picky about who I friend from work, and most of the ones I have friended get a restricted profile. Never in a million years would I friend add my boss. Never. It only takes one bad day, one status and then the proverbial will hit the fan. Trust me, I've experienced a co-worker "reporting" facebook activity, and it ain't pretty.

I recently had the same thing happen to me, a "friend" from work reported to my boss some of my venting about my job as a supervisor but didn't get the whole story straight. Needless to say, I no longer "friend" ANY co-workers. Just not worth the hassel of having to monitor what you say........everyone needs a place to vent!

JDZ344 · Apr 7, 2011

I recently had the same thing happen to me, a "friend" from work reported to my boss some of my venting about my job as a supervisor but didn't get the whole story straight. Needless to say, I no longer "friend" ANY co-workers. Just not worth the hassel of having to monitor what you say........everyone needs a place to vent!

Yep, happened to me. I have about 3 people from work that I like, trust and socialise with outside of work. The rest of them, I just delete the requests :)

itsmejuli · Apr 7, 2011

My personal rule is that I don't add co-workers or men that I'm dating. For me FB is strictly for family and friends.

WyndDrivenRain, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2011

I may be wrong but isn't Linkedin meant for networking??? Me..... i still have been know to actually hand write a letter. :yeah:

Yes. Many people use Facebook for the same purpose.

Sue

Got CPR? · Apr 7, 2011

I used to be FB friends with my boss until I got written up for posting a picture on my profile that was taken at work. Even though I posted the pic on my off time I was written up for taking a picture on my cell phone of a work friend and I. I unfortunately learned the hard way. My advice is that you are better safe than sorry.

Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN · Apr 7, 2011

I have a couple of friends from work on FB. No supervisors. I mean if they add me its just polite to add them.

My statuses are very PG. I have my mother on facebook lol

RNperdiem, RN · Apr 7, 2011

Facebook is supposed to be a "social" network, not a business network.

If I accept a friend offer from a supervisor, it will be only if we are true personal friends and socialize outside of work.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Apr 7, 2011

No, no, no, and no. I have a few work friends on facebook, but it sure isn't everyone who friends me. Got to be picky.

Emergency RN · Apr 7, 2011

Many people don't realize it, but FB is getting to be a setting that needs to be as squeaky clean and polished as a resume. It may be considered "social" media to many who wish re remain dumb, but it is anything but. It has literally become a public access facade to who we are, not just as people but us as professionals too.

Here's what you need to do; have a professional FB account. One that is absolutely beyond reproach, both politically and professionally. Then open up another FB account with a pseudonym in which only your closest friends and family know about. That way, you keep your personal and professional lives completely separate.

mama_d, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2011

I think it depends on how you use it. Both myself and many of those I am FB friends with are in professions that preclude the posting of anything off color...the worst you'll see on my FB site or any pics I'm tagged in is one of me in a two-piece swim suit with one of my kids on my lap. I don't have the most exciting social life.

I'm FB friends with someone who was my direct supervisor...she started out as a tech and has risen through the ranks quite quickly after she got her RN. We were FB friends prior to her being in management, and she's one of the people from work I'd hang out with. However, she pretty much didn't use FB while she was directly over us just to avoid any issues. Plus no one that I work with is dumb enough to post anything beyond "busy day...I'm pooped" as far as work goes, and I've never seen anyone on my friend list post anything inappropriate like you sometimes hear about.

Katie5 · Apr 7, 2011

Plus no one that I work with is dumb enough to post anything beyond "busy day...I'm pooped" as far as work goes, and I've never seen anyone on my friend list post anything inappropriate like you sometimes hear about.

Only a matter of time:)