Personal Pictures Made Public: Cause for Termination?

Q: I work at a reputable agency and at 39 am one of the most senior people in the company. It was recently brought to our attention that several new hires posted inappropriate pictures of themselves partying after hours on Facebook. Given that our company is tagged in these images and that I am their supervisor, is this cause for termination?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the increased percentages of adults using social networking sites, it is very likely that your employees will be doing the same.  The most important action to take is to update your company policy on electronic communications.  Many legal advisors are adamant that policies need to clearly outline what is prohibited and mention possible outcomes for not adhering to the policy.  Depending on the level of inappropriateness of the photos, you have a couple of options that include do nothing, instruct the employee to take down the photo, discipline the employee or terminate the employee.  Check with your HR Advisor or Legal Counsel regarding appropriate disciplinary action for this incident. In most states, by law, an employee has a duty of loyalty to the company which means that a company can tell the employee that in order to keep his or her job, the offensive material must be taken down or the material that identifies the company must be removed.