Fired Over Facebook
1. My initial reaction to this story is that I am appalled that Glen got fired from his job just because he was speaking his opinion in public. It is appalling because, as Americans, we have the right to free speech.
2. The employer fired Glen because Coats for Kids, the company Glen volunteered for, saw that it is essential to not become involved in public controversy whether it is in support or opposition; in order to keep the company's name at a neutral standpoint.
3. Unfortunately, yes, the firing was legal. The firing was legal because employees in the private world misinterpret freedom of speech. Employers have the right to look into someone's personal life (on the internet), and if they find something objectionable to the company's rules it can be used as grounds for firing.
4. The term digital footprint means the history that you have left on the computer. Whether it is Google searches when trying to find something work related, or logging onto Facebook or Instagram during work hours. All these things can be traced back to your digital footprint.
5. The things that you post on Facebook or Twitter are never really private, despite a maximum privacy setting. With the right amount of knowledge, hacking, and stalking a person can find anything you have shared or tweeted. What is out there, is out there.
6. I would have said "yeah go for it!" I believe Glen was speaking his mind to his peers. Whether he said it in person, or on the internet, free speech is free speech. I would never think he would've gotten fired for it.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/20/maryland-prisons-official_n_6722366.html
1. My initial reaction to this story is total shock. Is this guy really that dumb? Insensitive comments like that are not acceptable, especially when problems with prison molestation is an actual concern to the United States. Free speech is free speech, but when you are harming the reputation of others, especially in the prison facility, it is inappropriate.
2. The employer fired the corrections official because the post was inappropriate, and it was putting the reputation of high officials at stake.
3. Yes, the firing was legal on the grounds that the employer saw the corrections official unfit for the job due to his unacceptable "Facebook" behavior.
