Can You Get Fired Because Of Your Social Media?
We live in an era where just about everyone uses social media, from children to some of the most influential people of our time. Although apps like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are useful for connecting with others and entertaining yourself, it's pretty scary when you think about how much the world knows about you based on the information you share on social media — and that includes employers.
According to Balance Careers, social media can help you build an amazing career, but it can also harm your reputation if you're not careful. In many cases, employers judge candidates based on their social media, and it is absolutely legal for them to do so. It helps them ensure that the person they're hiring is appropriate for the job and a good fit for their organization.
But what about once you've already secured a job — can your employer fire you based on what you post on social media? Keep reading to find out.
How can your social media affect your employment?
Unfortunately, you can get fired because of what you post on social media, and it's not against the law for your boss to do so. While the Constitution does protect a person's right to freedom of speech under the First Amendment, it does not protect people from any damage they might suffer by sharing something online that an employer might find offensive (via Jackson Spencer Law).
Even the rich and famous are susceptible to losing job opportunities due to inappropriate social media posts. For example, in May 2017, comedian Kathy Griffin posted a picture of herself holding a model of former President Donald Trump's bloody decapitated head, per TMZ.
She received major backlash for the picture, and the Secret Service even launched an investigation into her. What seemed like humor to Griffin actually ended up damaging her reputation and career, as CNN canceled its deal with the comedian to host its New Year's Eve program, among other things, per NBC News.
The takeaway from this situation? Even though social media can be a fun part of our lives, it can be dangerous to our careers, so it's better to assume that whatever we do is monitored by others — one way or another.