Can Social Media Legally Get You Fired?
Question: Can your employer fire you for what you do or say on social networks and blogs?Cutting right to the chase here, the answer is yes. There are certain actions that you can do online that can get you fired. And before you start talking about the First Amendment (the right to free speech), it’s important to note that this Amendment only protects you from the government and not private institutions. In other words, while you may uphold your right to free speech when dealing with public sector entities, it becomes a whole different ball game when it comes to private companies.
You May Be Protected
Nonetheless, some states enforce certain “Off-Duty Conduct Laws†that protect bloggers and Internet users. These types of laws protect employees from getting fired for the things that they do on their own time. While they were originally passed to protect smokers from being discriminated, their wording may also apply to “legal products†being used by an employee when he or she is not on the clock.
Check Your State’s Laws
Do note that not all states have passed Off-Duty Conduct Laws. So to be sure, read up on the legal matters for your state and see if you have such laws protecting you from getting fired.
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