By Thomas Sellers Jr.
Apparently I am not a big fan of social media.
Accidentally I ended up dedicating the month of March to attacking the platform. Luckily this helps me do my job and provide some information about negative trends of social media.
Now I do appreciate the benefits of social media like sharing news, informing the public quickly and keeping up with my friends and family. When done correctly, in moderation and with a good spirit, social media is awesome.
But we all know social media has more pitfalls than peaks. Another valley of social media is costing several fools, idiots and wanna-be celebrities their day jobs.
One example was a pilot from Air Canada who posted a photo of himself in uniform. Here comes the heat that puts him on a hot seat. He was holding a sign that referenced Hitler while attending a demonstration in Montreal. The pilot uploaded this to Instagram with the message “Keep the world clean.” Following this post, Air Canada removed the pilot from his service and released a statement saying “We firmly denounce violence in all forms.” There are countless examples over the past decade of people posting things that got them fired. Here are just 10 things to keep in mind before you post that might directly cost you your job.
10. Lack of Productivity
Many people wish to take as much “free” time to become a TikTok or Instagram star. Usually with Instagram it’s all about photos and getting those clicks. TikTok challenges a person to be an entertainer by singing, dancing or commentary. Many people will dedicate time to produce content while at work. A quick trip to their motorized vehicle is a popular way to get a video out. Take that picture in your uniform doing something crazy for ‘The Gram.’
There are multiple cases of people being dismissed from a job because their bosses or supervisors identified a trend of social media content being created during work hours.
9. No New Job
Another new trend in recent months has people recording themselves being fired or making a reaction video to being terminated.
These tend to go viral and pick up a lot of traction. That might make it harder for the next potential job opportunity.
Not a smart move, people. That quick dopamine hit of views and clicks is temporary. Can you sustain the social media presence to make it your livelihood?
8. Blogging about work
Blogs seem to be a prominent form of a dairy. When you least expect it, they come back to haunt you. You drop a few thoughts about a topic and share your opinion thinking it is just a form of expression.
Those words can be interrupted by the public in any way. So be careful. One topic to definitely stay away from is your job. Whether you have positive or negative feelings, it is safer to be cautious enough to avoid your workplace as a topic.
No comments on the operation, policies, coworkers or anything related to your cash flow.
An English teacher in Pennsylvania wrote a blog about her students’ behavior. Intended for her private audience, the blog didn’t single out any particular student. It caught someone’s attention with her calling the students “rude, lazy, disengaged whiners.” The school district suspended her with pay.
7. Manifestos
This one could be a warning or cry for help. Work can be tough and mentally straining. We do need forms of an outlet. I prefer the gym, drawing and relaxing baths. Some do online manifestos. These are long-form posts that outline extremist beliefs, ideologies, or plans for violence. We’ve seen a few workplace shootings or read about a distronial employee who went as far as to poison colleagues. A manifesto-type of post includes inflammatory rhetoric, conspiracy theories, or calls to action that are harmful or divisive.
6. A Lack of Professional Decorum
Back in the 1990s, 2000s and early 2010s, the negative thoughts I harbored about our job were kept inside until we vented to a close friend, significant other or spouse. Now social media is the first form of release for many. We prop up the phone and hit record or live to get off about our job. Then that bad energy is carried over to the workplace leading to a lack of decorum. It almost seems people go to work to cause an episode to have more content for social media later.
5. Privacy Breach
On most worksites there are multiple people from different walks of life called your colleagues. They might not want to be in your videos.
Most jobs are a service to the public. They might not want to appear in your production. This really seems to be an issue in assisted living homes with people recording dance routines, so-called funny skits and nudity of the residents. Be careful of what you capture on your cell phones… of others.
4. Harassment and Bullying
Some fools treat their adulthood workplace like high school. They have an agenda against a colleague or customer that leads to harassment and cyberbullying on social media. They go on a character assasination mission, deliver threats or perform some actual harm. The audience on social media normally encourages it or sits back to watch the ‘action.’
Besides the behavior being harmful, this violates most workplace policies that protect individuals from abuse and intimidation.
3. Discriminatory Language
This is an easy offense to commit and will cost you your job quite often. Using discriminatory language or slurs on social media is like walking in a landmine. Before you know it, BOOM! You are fired for one word, statement or rant. Discriminatory language normally goes against any group based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics. Be real careful if you have a regular job not to offend anyone because it might violate anti-discrimination laws and company policies.
2. Promoting Acts of Violence
Overall you have to be careful of what and who you endorse on social media. You can’t root on certain infamous figures, champion tragic acts or show favoritism to a violent act. Social media posts that endorse or encourage violence against individuals or groups of people are also troubling. You might get called into your boss’ office for a meeting. You’ll be lucky to get off with just a warning. No pro-Hitler post, don’t celebrate death of a celebrity and no mocking of anything school shootings. Try to stay away from being pro-violent while online.
1. Illegal Behaviors
My top choice covers a multitude of sins. I’ve seen viral videos of a woman licking taco shells at Taco Bell. Urinating on food products was a popular form of “entertainment” for some “former” fast food workers. In a previous Best Sellers’ List, I warned of who people love to record their crimes now. Don’t post anything that depicts or glorifies illegal activities.
Bosses especially frown upon fraud and theft. As the children say, ‘That’s a red flag.’ Try not to be a criminal because it’s a bad look on your employer. Also avoid recording yourself doing illegal things on the worksite that involves harming the customers, stealing or fraud.
THOMAS SELLERS JR. is the editor of The Millington Star and both the sports editor and a weekly personal columnist for West 10 Media/Legacy Media. Contact him by phone at (901) 433-9138, by fax to (901) 529-7687 and by email to thomas@legacy-media.net
