When you have a rule that you don't 'friend' coworkers on FB

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 31, 2018

Under no circumstances do I ever "friend" anyone on FB while I work with them. It's a rule I have, not that I overshare or anything but I just like to keep things separate. If I leave a job I have kept a select few friends on but it's a rarity.

My rule as well. I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

Davey Do · Mar 31, 2018

And you get a FB request from a coworker, do you just ignore it, or do you tell them why you're not accepting their request?

Well, to quote you, klone

No, I've never had that happen

I'm not on FB.

Davey Do · Mar 31, 2018

I'd rather you tell me you don't mix coworkers with Facebook rather than simply ignoring me and let my imagination fill in the gaps.

Oh, OldDude, you are so...

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Maslow's Need Hierarchy aware!

SpankedInPittsburgh, DNP, RN · Mar 31, 2018

I don't use Facebook. True dinosaur here

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 31, 2018

When you have a rule that you don't 'friend' coworkers on FB
Well, to quote you, klone
I'm not on FB.

Did I strike a chord with you when I said that, Davey? That's the second time you've commented on it in (what I perceived to be) a snarky manner.

MunoRN, RN · Mar 31, 2018

I am not a frequent FB user, but I don't have a problem accepting friend requests for coworkers so long as they aren't an a-hole.

On related note, multiple places where I've worked have set up a group FB page for the unit, ED, etc, would people be more or less likely to join one of those groups than to friend coworkers?

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 31, 2018

On related note, multiple places where I've worked have set up a group FB page for the unit, ED, etc, would people be more or less likely to join one of those groups than to friend coworkers?

My department has a private FB page. I was invited and I made sure everyone was okay with me joining before I did so. I didn't want anyone to feel like they couldn't kvetch about work because I was part of the group. But it's strictly OB and women's health related topics, not personal stuff.

My main reason for not wanting to be "friends" with people I work with is because I post a lot about political and social issues on my page. And there are some who have WILDLY passionately divergent views and beliefs. And we have to be able to work with each other in a civil manner. And it's just best to keep that separate.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Mar 31, 2018

I would friend them if I wanted to be friends with them in general. I never post anything ...I wouldn't want the world to see.

Otherwise, I would just ignore the request. They will get the message.

K+MgSO4, BSN · Mar 31, 2018

Interesting timing for this post.

I spent yesterday in-between doing 7 loads of laundry doing all kinds of digital cleaning, one of which was my facebook account. I have unfriended people that I have not seen since high school 15 years ago and was not particularly friendly with them then, former workmates that I am not friends with, my staff that I work with now, un-followed 100 pages of junk that I must of signed up to for various competitions, I am trying to wean my addiction down. There are only 2 pages that have no other place - my university group that we all complain about assessments and library crashes on (that won't be relevant after the end of June :)) and a tall women's buy / sell/ swap page that has expanded into so much more.

I spend way too much time on Facebook so this is an attempt to get rid of the irrelevant junk so that I am only looking at relevant stuff and therfore less frequently as my feed won't change so much.

But back to you - if you are truly friends with this person, yes. If not then no.

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 31, 2018

If I were that coworker I would like the courtesy and honesty of your telling me why you cannot friend me. Ignoring will just make for bad feelings. Just be honest. I, too, being in management, have to be careful. I do friend my coworkers but don't post about work (except to say "WOW THAT WAS A BUSY/ROUGH ONE" or something vague like that)----or positive aspects of the job like how I appreciate my coworkers. I don't post anything I would not want the CEO of my company to view.

In that light, just about anyone can friend me as I try to avoid hot-topic, irritating issues. Mostly about my family and pics of my kids/grands.

In my career, I see the same patients all the time. I have had friend requests from quite a few. I always tell them why we cannot friend each other on FB, honestly and kindly. They are thankful and understanding.

Just being honest and clear is the best way---- if you are asking me and my opinion counts. Clearly, you have every right to your privacy but telling them your policy on FB friending and work is better than remaining silent. Sooner or later, they will all come to understand how it is and stop trying.

klone, MSN, RN · Apr 1, 2018

But back to you - if you are truly friends with this person, yes. If not then no.

The problem is, I'm the "boss." So I feel like I either have to friend all who request it, or none. I don't want to be seen as playing favorites.

Have Nurse, ADN, RN · Apr 1, 2018

Yep, there's a reason I'm not on Social Media. Too much trouble and not enough security.