OFW guide: Irresponsible tweets can get you fired

Some people are clueless. They tweet the first thing that comes to mind without thinking that  reckless and irresponsible tweets can get them fired.

According to an article on the New York Post, even seemingly flattering and unwitting posts on Twitter can get a person fired if these go against company policies.

The article cited the case of Gene Morphis, former CFO of fashion retailer Francesca Holdings Corp., who often posted good news on Twitter such as “Board meeting. Good numbers=Happy Board.” Morphis was fired for failing to comply with company policies.

 

"Posting sensitive information — even if done in a flattering or unwitting manner — could result in termination," the article said.

Oversharing, obscene photos

The CNN news site said social media is becoming not only a social networking and job seeking tool but also "the latest way for people to get job offers rescinded, reprimanded at work and even fired."

CNN cited some irresponsible tweets:

"Workin... This job sucks worse then the economy!"

 

"Also I'm really bummed that I'm working today, i asked off so i could study but my boss is a ******* **** ***** ***** who can't read."

 

"having sex dreams of people you work with makes for an awkward day."

 

"Huh, with my boss on twitter, maaaybe I should take down that sexy picture of her... but her reaction will be priceless!"

To know what you can and cannot share on Twitter, go to the social networking site's Help Center. 


Some of the guidelines posted on Twitter's Help Center are:
 

• "Privacy: You may not publish or post other people's private and confidential information, such as credit card numbers, street address or Social Security/National Identity numbers, without their express authorization and permission."

• "Pornography: You may not use obscene or pornographic images in either your profile photo, header photo, or user background."

The Telegraph news site advises people not to "over share your own information or anyone else’s. And remember – whatever you write on Twitter is always public (unless you protect your tweets)."

Tweets are being archived by the US Library of Congress.

"Don’t write anything which may come back to haunt you in years to come," The Telegraph urged.

"Fire Me!" app

A new app -- "FireMe!" -- can actually help you monitor your tweets to make sure you do not have posts that could cost you your job.

FireMe!, alerts a user if his Tweet may have crossed the line.
 

The app scans your Twitter account for content that could risk your job security.

 

"Our goal is to raise awareness about the danger of public online data. Most people are not aware that, on the internet, once said, you can never take it back," FireMe! said. 

 

Irresponsible tweets

 

An article on the Huffington Post cited Tweeps who either lost a job or failed to land one due to irresponsible tweeting.

 

(1) Someone, whose Twitter username was "theconnor," was being considered for a job at Cisco but unfortunately, posted this: “Cisco just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh the utility of a fatty paycheck against the daily commute to San Jose and hating the work.”

 

Unfortunately for this guy, someone informed Cisco about it and of course, theconnor wasn’t hired.

 

(2) CNN Middle East Senior Editor Octavia Nasr was a respected newsperson who worked for one of the biggest news agencies in the world.

 

She lost her reputation and job overnight after tweeting a controversial expression of respect: octavianasrCNN: “Sad to hear the passing of Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah.. One of Hezbollah’s giants I respect a lot..”

 

Fadlallah had a reputation for being anti-American and was linked to over 260 American deaths due to bombing.
 

Nasr later apologized and explained that she was referring to Fadalallah’s attitude toward human rights. However, it was was too late for Nasr.

 

(3) Former MLB pitcher-turned-radio host Mike Bacsik made racist Tweet that landed him in the hotseat: MikeBacsik: “Congrats to all the dirty Mexicans in San Antonio”

 

He was referring to a  Dallas Mavericks-Spurs game where Dallas forward Eduardo Najera was ejected from the court after fouling Spurs guard Manu Ginobili.

 

Although Bacsik apologized, he was still fired from his job.

 

(4) Finally, a California Pizza Chicken employee had something to say about their uniform's new design: @Traphik: “black button ups are the lamest shit ever!!!" he Tweeted the official Twitter account of California Pizza Chicken thinking that his identity was safe.

 

Unfortunately for him he was tracked down by the managers of the restaurant chain and was sacked.

 

So think before you tweet. 

To avoid embarrassing mistakes and avoid losing your job, tweet responsibly. Do not mention anything negative about work or other people.

"If in doubt, just use common sense. If you wouldn’t say something to someone face to face – then do not write it online," The Telegraph said. -- Andrei Medina, Veronica Pulumbarit, GMA News