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

Nurses General Nursing

Published

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?

Specializes in OB.
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.

I think as the boss, it's completely reasonable to want to keep work and Facebook really separate. I think a mass email to your staff saying "I'm trying to spend less time on FB and as such, don't accept new friend requests, but please know it's nothing personal" (sort of fudge a little), or an announcement along those general lines would suffice.

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Specializes in Surgical, quality,management.
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.

I'm the boss as well. I only had 2 staff members as friends on FB before the cleanse and they never posted so I am doubtful if they will notice I unfriended them.

I vote go with friending none of your staff. It can only get you into problems later on if they post inappropriate pictures etc of themselves at work or claim workers comp and post pictures of themselves on a rollercoaster. I was an assistant manager when both of things happened when I was friends with staff on FB. The picture situation was a quite conversation with the person but the rollercoaster issue was what ended up getting a staff member fired (final straw situation she was not engaging with PT,cancelled meetings with CM etc.).

If there is a team/ward page that's OK depending on the situation but personally my staff have no right to see my cheese and wine weekend photos

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Specializes in NICU.

Depends who is asking,I do not do FB with coworkers and Im glad,especially when drama happens.Sometimes I just ignore and if they ask I explain and drop it the subject.I do not trust fb too much personal info is requested through fake little games about your likes and dislikes.

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Specializes in Palliative, Onc, Med-Surg, Home Hospice.
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?

I just ignore it. If they persist, I"ll explain that I do not friend co-workers on Facebook. I have friended former co-workers that I actually socialize with but it was AFTER I left that job.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
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.

Same here as well. I leave work at work & home at home.

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

There should be a 12 step program for divesting oneself from FakeBook and other social media.

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

I would honestly be talking to a lawyer as I am not sure it is legal for a hospital to tell you who you can and cannot be friends with on FB!! Not their business in my opinion, as long as you are not discussing work stuff.

Annie

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

My Facebook account which is for family contact is kept on the tightest of security setting so unless I invite you in you can't find me. But I don't give my cell phone number to co-workers either.

Hppy

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Specializes in Case manager, float pool, and more.

Years ago I sent a friend a FB friend request. (not a co-worker friend) She did not respond and ignored it. I knew she had an account and like I said, we were friends, known her a while but not close friends.

I waited and no response. I have to admit I felt a bit hurt ( I usually have a thicker skin ). Anyhow, I say that because in my opinion, it would be better to say, "Hey (______) I appreciate you sending the FB request. However, I have a rule that I don't have co-workers on my FB page. Yada Yada Yada." Especially if you have to work with this person on a regular basis. I currently have a co-worker who also does not friend anyone on FB and has it solely for family. They explained the reason and all of us have honored it without any hard feelings.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

I also don't friend a lot of people here. If I get a request I send back a message explaining that I do not friend people who have no posting history as I want to get to know them before friending. Usually works ok

Hppy

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
I would honestly be talking to a lawyer as I am not sure it is legal for a hospital to tell you who you can and cannot be friends with on FB!! Not their business in my opinion, as long as you are not discussing work stuff.

Annie

Wait, what? Where did anyone say anything about the hospital saying who you can and cannot friend on FB?

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I would honestly be talking to a lawyer as I am not sure it is legal for a hospital to tell you who you can and cannot be friends with on FB!! Not their business in my opinion, as long as you are not discussing work stuff.

Annie

Is this an April Fool's joke? Are you SERIOUS???

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