Social media contract- AIBU to not want to sign?

[ZeddyByeBye]

My boss brought me a copy of the new social media contract to day. I've read it thoroughly and it's so vague that it makes me uncomfortable to sign it.

It's pretty standard stuff but there's a part about 'liking inappropriate comments will lead to disciplinary procedures.'

He wasn't very happy when I pointed this out and told me I have to sign it. I never mention my company on any social media sights but do sometimes like or add to threads that other people have started.

Where do I stand?

[howtorebuild]

Delete the bits you are unhappy with and sign.

[ilovesooty]

If you were seen to like Britain First posts, for example it wouldn't reflect well on you in our company but I think I'd seek clarification before signing. Then I wouldn't delete anything but I'd make your boss aware of any areas that you're concerned about.

[DaveMinion]

It's simple, sign it and don't touch anything work related with a bargepole. I work in healthcare and dont mention anything work related on fb. It doesn't even say where I work.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

I would want to know what 'inappropriate' means as well. It's too vague and I don't want my work to decide what's appropriate like I'm 8 and they're my Mum.

[ZeddyByeBye]

I work for a very large supermarket chain so stuff tends to come up in normal conversation, if you see what I mean.

However, I have nothing work related on my Facebook page, and that includes who I work for.

[foxmitten]

I echo shiteforbrains would (for example) liking a post from a Christian page be deemed inappropriate by an atheist boss? I'd want clarification before signing.

[WorraLiberty]

'Inappropriate' is far too vague I think.

Are you a union member? If so, can they look over it for you?

[Alicekeach]

I had to sign something similar at work. I resisted like mad, but was basically stood over and ordered to sign it. Our policy included that we must not say anything on social media that might offend a client. I asked how I could possibly know what would offend every single one of the firm's clients? For example, I have had clients tell me they are against same sex marriage. I have a number of gay friends. If I put up photos of my gay friends getting married, that would presumably offend those clients. It's a total nonsense.

My solution is to be on Facebook under a different name to my professional name and to decline all friend requests from work colleagues and clients. I don't use Twitter at all.

[Birdsgottafly]

""Who gets to decide what is 'inappropriate'?""

It's generally dictated by the Equality Act and then claptrap about the amount of Benefits "Illegals" get, which obviously shows that the employer, employs a thick workforce, are on the list of unacceptable behaviour.

[wooldonor]

If every employee in a large supermarket is being asked to sign I bet you won't be the only one who has doubts. I don't think YABU to be wary about this, it sounds far too vague but on the otherhand if they don't say what they consider inappropriate beforehand they'd have a hard time argueing the toss with an industrial tribunal surely.

Have you googled to see if there's any social media discussions by other employees?

[ElkeDagMeisje]

YANBU. Its totally OTT. Your normal contract terms and conditions and common law would permit an employer to breach an employee for social media activities which were serious enough to affect their work anyway. Its far too vaguely defined to be properly enforceable. Imagine if your boss were very left wing, and you "liked" some Conservative-leaning posts. Would holding a political opinion then be labelled "inappropriate"?

[ZeddyByeBye]

I'm not a union member. I only use Facebook and then it's mostly to keep in touch with far flung friends and family.

[IamtheDevilsAvocado]

It does feel a bit big brotherish... But i can kind of see both sides.... You should have freedom in your private life and a righr to free speech..

It does seem that your company have covered every possible online
post and topic, tying people up in knots as they can say anything is offensive. As its completely subjective who finds what offensive..

But would i want to see a doctor who i came across online liking Britain first posts or making racist /sexist comments on line? No I'd find someone else!

[NeedsAsockamnesty]

I can understand why you wouldn't want to sign that. Far to vague.

[chickenfuckingpox]

to be fair i wouldn't be googling my doctor to see if she was a racist and britain first did throw out a post saying happy easter (or christmas) which thousands liked and it was nothing racist so liking that post would be guilt by association rather than a racist act

i think the policy should be specific not defaming the company its policies staff and customers end of discussion

ive met a few racists/sexists they dont bring it to work and as long as you act professionally there should be no barrier to employment

your work is not your life i would make a strong suggestion that they tighten the contract up for their benefit as much as yours if they dismiss you they will have to show why and if they bring in a bit of woolly gathering type contract they might lose their case

and tighten up your profile

[BitterAndOnlySlightlyTwisted]

This employer is presumptuous to the max. Most normal people don't make "inappropriate" comments on their Facebook pages. That shit stays up there online in perpetuity and can come back to haunt you any time.

My response to this request would be "That's OK, I don't have a Facebook profile and don't use Twitter either". But then, I have my profile on Facebook on total lock-down and never, ever accept "friend requests" from work colleagues or anyone else who isn't a close personal friend. If my employer searched for me, they would be able to find nothing. And that's the way I like it. Luckily my current employer wouldn't care how many cat photos I "liked".

[IamtheDevilsAvocado]

PS Also as someone mentioned upthread-have an alternative anonymised account. I chose a name of a long dead great aunt.
Also dont give hometown or workplace.. Both of these together could easily out me, if someone was searching for them.

You can tell people you'll send them an invite to friend. Also lock it down with the highest security settings - i think you can do it so people cant even search for you? Someone correct me if this has changed.
In these settings you can ensure that no friends of friends can see posts /photos.

[IamtheDevilsAvocado]

Yup seffo what bitter says!

[RepeatAdNauseum]

You can't lock Facebook down so that you're unsearchable anymore.

You also risk losing your account if you use a false name and they ask you to validate it. If you can't send acceptable ID, like a driving license or passport scan, Facebook will lock the account and won't allow you to retrieve anything from it. This is happening a lot at the moment, as the algorithm learns to detect fake names rather than rely on reports.

Just so you're aware of the potential risks!

[cardibach]

Repeat dies that mean all those pukey names with 'mummy' as a middle name will be removed as it isn't a real name? Hope so!

[RepeatAdNauseum]

Yep. Unless they have "mummy" added onto their official ID by deed poll, I suppose...

They are determined to have only genuine users using genuine names, and increases their potential commercial value, so I think they'll have Facebook cleansed within the year.

[chickenfuckingpox]

use your maiden name if you're married or if your not your mom's maiden name its a genuine name and wont ping their spam filters

[FarFromAnyRoad]

So do you have work colleagues on your friends list? Because if not, and if your account is properly locked down then nobody will be able to see anything except if and when you change your cover picture. Even if they can find you by your correct name - and you could preempt most risk of that by blocking them all before they even try.
I would probably sign it knowing that not a single one of them would have the faintest chance of knowing what I liked or didn't like.