Think that I am about to be fired...

Jenneke87 · 29-02-2020 10:11am #1

My company has a fb page where employees can post about things related to their job, ask questions, vent etc. The page is such that no-one from management or teamleaders are allowed on the page, it's purely for frontline people.

A comment I made on that page was passed on to my TM about a week later. He rang me yesterday morning and asked me to delete it and said we'd be having a conversation about it. I'm socially awkward with an equally awkward and sometimes off sense of humor and sometimes cause offense where none was meant because I read the situation entirely wrong, which is what happend here. For the record; I said nothing bad about the company, or it's staff or it's customers. I can't go into much more detail than that.

I'm pretty sure that I'm about to be fired. Hindsight being 20/20 I understand that what I did wasn't the smartest thing and it kills me that all I can do is wait until Monday and walk out of there with as much dignity as I can muster. I feel like a right idiot

is_that_so · 29-02-2020 10:19am

It depends how long you've been there and the company policy on such things. It just sounds like a, probably robust, conversation about what you can and can't do with maybe a warning. Given what you've said about yourself, maybe write down what you want to say, more or less as you've said here. I'd include the apology element as well to acknowledge your mistake. The lesson, one way or the other, is not to believe what people tell you about public fora, it gets back. You should also avoid sharing your sense of humour with people who don't know you if it is so left-field.

bucketybuck · 29-02-2020 10:27am

Nobody can say much without knowing more detail of what the comment was. Was it racist? Sexist? Misogynist? What the comment was obviously influences what is going to happen next.

I will say one thing though, it would be a cold day in hell before you ever see me posting socially on a company facebook page, whatsapp group, messenger group, etc etc. If you take anything from this experience it should be that.

antix80 · 29-02-2020 10:27am

"socially awkward with an equally awkward and sometimes off sense of humor"
So ya say. Sounds like you were being an ass and chose a page connected to your employer to do it.

Step 1, delete the comment.
Step 2, if it really was a sackable offence it's probably best to deny you wrote it if you want to keep your job. That might work.

banie01 · 29-02-2020 10:37am

Jenneke87 wrote: »

The page is such that no-one from management or teamleaders are allowed on the page, it's purely for frontline people.

I cannot believe that anyone is so unaware of reality that they think the above is true?

Posting anything, anywhere from an account that is linked in anyway to your professional/work identity and treating it as anything other than "public" is frankly, stupidity of the highest order.

I'd hope that you have learned a lesson from this OP, and I am sorry if I come across as too harsh.
It may well be that your place of employment has a policy on Social Media and its use.

It may also be given that you have defamed a TL on a public forum that at the very least retraction and formal apology is requested.
Dependent on company policy and level of hurt and reputational damage perceived by the TL they may take further civil action.

Peatys · 29-02-2020 10:40am

Don't put anything in writing you wouldn't be ok with your mam, boss or partner seeing.

Expensive lesson.

Jenneke87 · 29-02-2020 10:41am

antix80 wrote: »

"socially awkward with an equally awkward and sometimes off sense of humor"
So ya say. Sounds like you were being an ass and chose a page connected to your employer to do it.

Step 1, delete the comment.
Step 2, if it really was a sackable offence it's probably best to deny you wrote it if you want to keep your job. That might work.

No, I was not being an ass, that's quite a leap here. The comment has already been deleted as per my TM's request. He already knows it was me.

coastwatch · 29-02-2020 10:41am

Can this FB page be seen by people outside the company? If so, it sounds like a really bad idea.
It sounds like you did a fair bit of venting and is that not one of the purpose of the page?
Are there very clear guidelines on what you can and can not post on the page?

Dont spend the next two days ruminating on this, not good for your mental health.
Find something / anything else to occupy your mind over the weekend and I'm sure it will be a much smaller issue by Monday.

Peatys · 29-02-2020 10:42am

Jenneke87 wrote: »

No, I was not being an ass, that's quite a leap here. The comment has already been deleted as per my TM's request. He already knows it was me.

Why are you being vague now? What was the comment? Do you want advice, Or are you just looking to vent?

rizzodun · 29-02-2020 10:42am

Who the hell would vent on a Facebook page for their company?

If I heard my company set up something like that I'd be seriously questioning whether I'd trust working at that company, sounds like a perfect way to monitor their employees social media.

Delete the comment, face it head on with your team lead and mention under no circumstances it'll happen again, and don't post there going forward.

Jenneke87 · 29-02-2020 10:44am

banie01 wrote: »

I cannot believe that anyone is so unaware of reality that they think the above is true?

It may also be given that you have defamed a TL on a public forum that at the

I have said nothing about my Team leader, the post wasn't about him in any way or shape.

Cyrus · 29-02-2020 10:46am

Unless you allude to what you said it's unlikely anyone can give an opinion one way or the other

_Brian · 29-02-2020 10:47am

Don’t start telling lies on top of a really bad situation you created, that would be a really silly thing to do, you don’t need to wind management up further.

Hands up and apologise profusely is the best recourse, explain it was a huge mistake and your terribly embarrassed by the whole thing.

Not knowing what was said and your disciplinary history this should be written warning stuff rather than termination. Even if it’s put forward as bullying it should be discipline rather than termination. Now, you may be earmarked to be managed out going forward where this will be the first step.

Johnny Sausage · 29-02-2020 10:48am

Sounds like a place I used to work, managers had fake Facebook profiles in a group like that to catch people out, and the place is full of rats

Isn't a call centre for a betting company now based in clonskeagh is it?

NewbridgeIR · 29-02-2020 10:48am

Is this on Facebook or Workplace? Two totally different things. The latter should only be accessible to employees of the company.

rizzodun · 29-02-2020 10:52am

Cyrus wrote: »

Unless you allude to what you said it's unlikely anyone can give an opinion one way or the other

Some nosey people here.
Op is clearly concerned but hasn't asked for advice on how to handle the comment. No need for the Op to post the comment here too.

There's plenty of advice been given already without understanding the comment.

rizzodun · 29-02-2020 10:57am

NewbridgeIR wrote: »

Is this on Facebook or Workplace? Two totally different things. The latter should only be accessible to employees of the company.

Whether it should only be accessible to employees of the company or not, it can always be shared with a screenshot.

I have a fb profile and are friends with employees at different levels, I'm conscious not to post something that can be construed as offensive. Necessary evil nowadays, my fb profile is only really used to manage a page and keep in touch with friends abroad.

Op shouldn't have posted it, Op now knows that, harsh lesson learned.

Now how to prevent further escalation and a possible job loss should be focused on.

LillySV · 29-02-2020 11:01am

Jenneke87 wrote: »

No, I was not being an ass, that's quite a leap here. The comment has already been deleted as per my TM's request. He already knows it was me.

I’m assuming you made a comment about fellow workers or management .... if so and someone reported it then they might label it as bullying ....
Op whatever happens, mark it off as a lesson...don’t put anything about anyone on social media...does nothing for anyone and can only serve to cause you trouble. I’ve no Facebook twitter or any of that ****e as people only looking to be offended these days so why create hassle for yourself ... anyways hopefully just a warning for ya

Jenneke87 · 29-02-2020 11:10am

It wasn't a comment about management or a teamleader. I said that I was going into my nightshift feeling unwell and that chocolate, crisps and all illegal substances would be appreciated. Hindsight 20/20 it was more than naive to post that but at the time, that being my sense of humor and not realizing that not everyone would get that, genuinely saw no harm and figured the joke was clear to everyone. A blood test would quickly point out that no illegal substances of any kind were taken at any point.

Peatys · 29-02-2020 11:11am

Jenneke87 wrote: »

It wasn't a comment about management or a teamleader. I said that I was going into my nightshift feeling unwell and that chocolate, crisps and all illegal substances would be appreciated. Hindsight 20/20 it was more than naive to post that but at the time, that being my sense of humor and not realizing that not everyone would get that, genuinely saw no harm and figured the joke was clear to everyone. A blood test would quickly point out that no illegal substances of any kind were taken at any point.

If that's all it was, and you deleted as asked, I'd say that's the end of it

Salary Negotiator · 29-02-2020 11:13am

Peatys wrote: »

If that's all it was, and you deleted as asked, I'd say that's the end of it

I’d agree, very little in that really.

@OP have you read your company’s policy on social media etc?

Jenneke87 · 29-02-2020 11:17am

Salary Negotiator wrote: »

I’d agree, very little in that really.

@OP have you read your company’s policy on social media etc?

Obviously should have but no, I didn't. I'll make sure to now. I do still have that niggling feeling that this is far from over. I've seen people being fired over eating a grape while on the phone with a customer...

Peatys · 29-02-2020 11:18am

Jenneke87 wrote: »

Obviously should have but no, I didn't. I'll make sure to now. I do still have that niggling feeling that this is far from over. I've seen people being fired over eating a grape while on the phone with a customer...

No, you're grand. Don't worry about it

Johnny Sausage · 29-02-2020 11:19am

Jenneke87 wrote: »

Obviously should have but no, I didn't. I'll make sure to now. I do still have that niggling feeling that this is far from over. I've seen people being fired over eating a grape while on the phone with a customer...

Well they shouldnt be eating while on the phone to customers, that's common sense

SteM · 29-02-2020 11:25am

If you're fired for that comment then the company isn't worth working for imo.

JJJJNR · 29-02-2020 11:28am

I'm fairly sure that entrapment is illegal OP, they dont own facebook so have no control over its TOS and can't use it to police staff outside of working hours.

Tell them to politely fúçk off.

Wildly Boaring · 29-02-2020 11:30am

Ah here that's obviously a bad attempt at a joke.

Deleted as asked.
Maybe a swift "don't do it again, you realise everything online is public" and life goes on

anewme · 29-02-2020 11:33am

Op, it was a stupid comment to put up and I can understand why they told you to take it down.

It's nothing worse than that.

mcgragger · 29-02-2020 11:37am

Jenneke87 wrote: »

My company has a fb page where employees can post about things related to their job, ask questions, vent etc. The page is such that no-one from management or teamleaders are allowed on the page, it's purely for frontline people.

A comment I made on that page was passed on to my TM about a week later. He rang me yesterday morning and asked me to delete it and said we'd be having a conversation about it. I'm socially awkward with an equally awkward and sometimes off sense of humor and sometimes cause offense where none was meant because I read the situation entirely wrong, which is what happend here. For the record; I said nothing bad about the company, or it's staff or it's customers. I can't go into much more detail than that.

I'm pretty sure that I'm about to be fired. Hindsight being 20/20 I understand that what I did wasn't the smartest thing and it kills me that all I can do is wait until Monday and walk out of there with as much dignity as I can muster. I feel like a right idiot

Admit nothing. Ask for an independant person to be in the conversation.
You have rights and fair process must be followed so the company must prove beyond doubt that what you said constitutes gross misconduct.

I'd ring the Workplace relations commission before the conversation if you can for advice.

Unless your comment can be construed as dangerous to your companies business you dont deserve to be fired

ForestFire · 29-02-2020 11:38am

I would also make it clear you comment was simple about how ill you felt and not about work itself...

SeaFields · 29-02-2020 11:41am

You say this is a company site OP. Is it official? Are there published guidelines as regards how it is to be used? Were you made aware of these guidelines by the company? Can you be sure what you posted is in contradiction to these guidelines?

All of the above is relevant of the company wants to fire you and you have to be afforded due process. I'd suggest a mitigating factor being you immediately deleted it as requested. If any answers to the above paragraph is a "no" too then that's also mitigating.

In all honesty and aside from all the above official stuff, I'd say you'll be getting a "think before you post" chat with your manager and that'll be the end of it.

Jenneke87 · 29-02-2020 11:58am

SeaFields wrote: »

You say this is a company site OP. Is it official? Are there published guidelines as regards how it is to be used? Were you made aware of these guidelines by the company? Can you be sure what you posted is in contradiction to these guidelines?

All of the above is relevant of the company wants to fire you and you have to be afforded due process. I'd suggest a mitigating factor being you immediately deleted it as requested. If any answers to the above paragraph is a "no" too then that's also mitigating.

In all honesty and aside from all the above official stuff, I'd say you'll be getting a "think before you post" chat with your manager and that'll be the end of it.

No it's not an official site. It's a fb page to discuss work related things, ask for advice, general chit chat, etc. It's a for frontline staff only place, before admission you have to give your name, staff number and work mobile nr. so they can verify who you are, it's not at all visible for public. There are no guidelines other than " keep it civil". Nothing uncivil was said in my comment, it was just stupid in hindsight and a bad attempt at a joke.

Cyrus · 29-02-2020 12:14pm

rizzodun wrote: »

Some nosey people here.
Op is clearly concerned but hasn't asked for advice on how to handle the comment. No need for the Op to post the comment here too.

There's plenty of advice been given already without understanding the comment.

Useless advice without the context

No way of opining on whether it's a sackable offence without it

And in my opinion on the basis of what she wrote he should be fine

Donald Trump · 29-02-2020 12:40pm

Step 1: Delete Facebook account
Step 2: Tell manager you never had a Facebook account
Step 3: Make a complaint to manager that someone is posting to a work-based page using your details
Step 4: Profit

Peatys · 29-02-2020 12:46pm

Donald Trump wrote: »

Step 1: Delete Facebook account
Step 2: Tell manager you never had a Facebook account
Step 3: Make a complaint to manager that someone is posting to a work-based page using your details
Step 4: Profit

Or just go with step1. Good advice for all

robinbird · 29-02-2020 12:57pm

Jenneke87 wrote: »

It wasn't a comment about management or a teamleader. I said that I was going into my nightshift feeling unwell and that chocolate, crisps and all illegal substances would be appreciated. Hindsight 20/20 it was more than naive to post that but at the time, that being my sense of humor and not realizing that not everyone would get that, genuinely saw no harm and figured the joke was clear to everyone. A blood test would quickly point out that no illegal substances of any kind were taken at any point.

If that was the comment you should have nothing to worry about.
And consider how other employees would feel about using the page or whether previous comments by others could be used against them.
Firing someone for something so innocuous wouldn't happen. They would be leaving themselves wide open.
Team Leader probably just on his own little power trip and wants to flex.

Heckler · 29-02-2020 2:27pm

If you believe management don't have access to that or at the very least have someone in there reporting back you are delusional.

That said your comment was harmless. I wouldn't worry about it.

AndrewJRenko · 29-02-2020 2:54pm

mcgragger wrote: »

Admit nothing. Ask for an independant person to be in the conversation.
You have rights and fair process must be followed so the company must prove beyond doubt that what you said constitutes gross misconduct.

I'd ring the Workplace relations commission before the conversation if you can for advice.

Unless your comment can be construed as dangerous to your companies business you dont deserve to be fired

They also have to prove that you made the comment. A comment posted from an FB account in your name is not necessarily proof that you posted it. I don't think an employer can rely on the group entry validation procedures around an unofficial group like this.

LillySV · 29-02-2020 3:28pm

Jenneke87 wrote: »

It wasn't a comment about management or a teamleader. I said that I was going into my nightshift feeling unwell and that chocolate, crisps and all illegal substances would be appreciated. Hindsight 20/20 it was more than naive to post that but at the time, that being my sense of humor and not realizing that not everyone would get that, genuinely saw no harm and figured the joke was clear to everyone. A blood test would quickly point out that no illegal substances of any kind were taken at any point.[/quote

Ahh nothing to worry about there... harmless joke, I’ve made jokes 5 times worse than that before ... all they can do is ask ya to refrain from saying those things in public again . If they used that to fire ya,. I’m sure there’s plenty of solicitors that would delightfully fight that case for ya ...they have no grounds to fire ya on that

anewme · 29-02-2020 11:07pm

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

They also have to prove that you made the comment. A comment posted from an FB account in your name is not necessarily proof that you posted it. I don't think an employer can rely on the group entry validation procedures around an unofficial group like this.

I wouldn't be getting into that.

That's just asking for a bigger shovel and looks like OP is a weasel. It would just look like not taking responsibility.

Op already deleted it, so they know it was them in control of the FB account.

It was just a silly comment, as someone else said, if a Company sacks you for that, you are best off out of it.

AndrewJRenko · 29-02-2020 11:13pm

anewme wrote: »

I wouldn't be getting into that.

That's just asking for a bigger shovel and looks like OP is a weasel. It would just look like not taking responsibility.

Op already deleted it, so they know it was them in control of the FB account.

It was just a silly comment, as someone else said, if a Company sacks you for that, you are best off out of it.

If it was the difference between taking them for a €20k settlement or not, I'd happily play that card. It might not do much for an ongoing employee relationship, but that may or may not be important.

It sounds like a power play by the bosses, to send out a clear message that they know what goes on in the FB group.

ThewhiteJesus · 29-02-2020 11:15pm

This is such an anticlimax, a total let down I had visions of you doing something really bad ! I make about 20sackable comments a day but I work Dam hard so it’s overlooked, op nothing to worry about unless you suck at work, if you do they might use it to get rid of you

Strumms · 29-02-2020 11:43pm

Heckler wrote: »

If you believe management don't have access to that or at the very least have someone in there reporting back you are delusional.

That said your comment was harmless. I wouldn't worry about it.

This, there is always one rat in these groups who without hesitation would be willing to share anything of ‘value’ to management with them, to increase their own standing in management spheres.

Social media is just that, WhatsApp a ‘social networking ’ platform for your friends and family, not your job. I was added to a work WhatsApp which I subsequently left a week later... the phone just kept lighting up... “lads, anyone seen xyz file ?” “ lads who can work Saturday for me ?” “When you come in tomorrow can you take the car for a wash, cheers?” Fûck that, it was a 20 hour operation and even on mute I just fûcking seeing the thing light up....

qwerty13 · 01-03-2020 8:39am

You were very foolish to trust that a FB group like that is somehow‘confidential’. But you know better now.

But after you clarified what you said, my take is that you say it was a stupid ill thought out comment, and they rap you on the knuckles and tell you not to post comments like that on social media again. I would be very surprised if you were fired.

Harsh lesson learnt tho.

monty_python · 02-03-2020 12:20pm

Was he fired??

BorneTobyWilde · 02-03-2020 4:45pm

monty_python wrote: »

Was he fired??

She's a she. And a fashion model, one flash of her smile coupled with a wink of her eye and the Team Leader would be putty in her hands...
so I'm sure she didn't get fired.

02-03-2020 4:53pm

Looks like OP has learned their lesson... and burned their laptop.

Can't imagine anyone with a year's service being fired for that. Only muppets would post on such a forum (OP excepted

)

Strumms · 02-03-2020 9:08pm

Remember folks, ‘social’ media and ‘social’ apps are for your social life, family and friends. Don’t give your employer or colleagues an ‘IN’ to this world, in any regard, ever.

Jim2007 · 03-03-2020 2:03pm

Strumms wrote: »

Remember folks, ‘social’ media and ‘social’ apps are for your social life, family and friends. Don’t give your employer or colleagues an ‘IN’ to this world, in any regard, ever.

Nonsense, if you post rubbish on your employer or someone else on the net, you have to assume that it will end up in the wrong hands at some stage and of course that it will never be forgotten. There is no such thing as a secure account or a private chat, at a very minimum sys ops see everything.

Back in the day, we were having a problem with the mail server crashing, so IBM was brought in (yes, those days) and they set up all kinds of dumping mechanisms to trap it. Well then next time it happened the offending mail thread was dumped at 5 locations within the company and at least 3 IBM locations. The mail thread document an office affair....

bigslick · 03-03-2020 4:28pm

mcgragger wrote: »

Admit nothing. Ask for an independant person to be in the conversation.

No entitlement to this for a manager to employee conversation. As others have said this was more than likely just an initial conversation to outline issue, reset expectations, and move on. Nothing to be confrontational about.

mcgragger wrote: »

You have rights and fair process must be followed so the company must prove beyond doubt that what you said constitutes gross misconduct.

You are correct that rights and process apply but to any potential disciplinary process, which judging from the OP initial post this meeting is/was not, as this would be made abundantly clear at the time

mcgragger wrote: »

I'd ring the Workplace relations commission before the conversation if you can for advice.

Please dont give this advice. There has been no disciplinary process initiated, no sanctioned provided, that in itself can be appealed, so the WRC will politely tell OP to go through with meeting and be honest and open. Citizens Information might be a better option should the individual wish.

mcgragger wrote: »

Unless your comment can be construed as dangerous to your companies business you dont deserve to be fired

There are alot of reasons that an individual can be let go for making comments and not all of them must be putting the companies business in danger.

Overall I agree that this will/has amount to nothing more than a conversation with manager about the comment and nothing further. I just dont understand the approach of pushing back on any sort of process/conversation and asserting your 'rights' when the OP himself admitted he made an inappropriate comment which does not display him in the best light on a company controlled communications tool. Just go into meeting, hear the business out and learn from the mistake.

punisher5112 · 03-03-2020 4:33pm

So are you sacked?

Think that I am about to be fired...

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