As I’ve previously discussed, Social networking websites such as MySpace and Facebook are provoking new questions about the appropriate boundaries in employee-employer relationships. This is evident in a United States Federal Court case coming to a head in New Jersey. The case pertains to the conduct of a manager who logged into a private social networking website and observed employees slandering company supervisors and customers. Those same employees were later dismissed. The case exemplifies a rapidly expanding “grey area” between an employee’s work life and personal social life. It begs the question, at what point does a “private” comment to friend made outside of the office constitute defamation, and at what point are such comments simply banter between individuals? Of course, the answer is, it all depends on the facts.
For an interesting discussion on the matter, check out Myrth on a Blog, a personal journal of law, technology and social media.
[...] previously commented on social networking websites and employer-employee relationships. This BBC report is just one [...]