An Employment Law Expert Caroline Reidy emphasizes the importance of employees being cautious about their social media activity, even within private WhatsApp groups, to avoid tarnishing their workplace's reputation.
Her warning comes in the wake of a Dublin woman's claim of being fired from her job at Israeli tech company Wix after expressing critical views on social media regarding Israel.
In a LinkedIn post, Wix President Nir Zohar emphasized the company's commitment to open and liberal values while also highlighting the significance of internal values, such as team spirit, partnership, and friendship within the organization.
Zohar explained the company's decision to part ways with the employee, stating that he was "bombarded" with messages from Israeli colleagues who shared screenshots of her posts.
לכל מי שפנה אלי ושאל, חולק את פרטי המקרה: pic.twitter.com/r2F0kTWlwS
— Nir Zohar (@nirzo) October 23, 2023
Expert's insights
In a conversation with Newstalk, Reidy pointed out that while individuals have the right to freedom of speech, they must exercise it responsibly, as actions on social media can potentially affect both their employer's image and their own personal brand.
"We're seeing more and more that people are forgetting that, whether it's a WhatsApp message or a public forum, that maybe they're not really thinking," Reidy told Newstalk, emphasizing: "What is the ripple effect that this might be?"
As outlined by Caroline, employment contracts and staff handbooks now often include provisions about responsible social media use and the implications of conduct, dignity, and respect.
She notes that online behaviour deemed disrespectful can lead to work-related consequences, saying: "If something happens at 2am in the morning and you get into an altercation, that potentially could have a ripple effect that impacts your job."
Reidy highlights that many companies are not just relying on policies but also providing training to complement them. Companies recognize the need to educate their staff on the significance of their online presence and its potential consequences.
This proactive approach aims to raise awareness among employees regarding the potential impact of their online actions, even within seemingly private spaces.
"So, I think raising awareness is key," she concluded.
David Bjelac
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