DS in trouble at work

[Whenisithometime]

Hi

Just want advice.

My son is 18 and I just wanted to ask for other people’s advice regarding a silly incident.

He works in Tesco part time at the weekend. Recently, he posted something on his Facebook, it was something like “would be great if Tesco would close because of coronavirus so I can have some time off”

DS does not have his manager on his Facebook, so somebody on his has obviously told him. His manager rang him and asked him if he could come in sometime this week to speak to him regarding his social media content.

I just think this is shockingly ridiculous. What exactly has DS said that is so wrong? He obviously didn’t mean anything bad by what he wrote. Surely this is an overreaction?

Glad it worked out.

This experience, might save him for a bigger mistake in future. So worth it in the end.

what about timing? Did he post the message during Tesco paid hours when he should be working?

Time to tell him that many employers, landlords etc now check social media activity by applicants and employees to see who's skiving, boasting about having a hangover at work, etc.

Good for him apologising.

Seeing as the PM is making jokes about ventilators and calling it Operation Last Gasp I don't really have time for pearl clutching about the sort of comment your DS made. Yes, it was a bit daft, but everyone has been a bit daft at times and I don't think a stupid comment on social media warrants the sort of reaction some posters had.

Seeing as the PM is making jokes about ventilators and calling it Operation Last Gasp I don't really have time for pearl clutching about the sort of comment your DS made
VERY good point!

Christ who hasn’t joked about getting some time off work at one time or another? So much pearl clutching here

You shouldn't say anything negative about work on SM but he didn't say anything that bad, and it wasn't a criticism of the company either. We are in very strange times right now and I keep wishing that the shop I worked would get closed so that I can minimise my own risk of catching the virus and also now the schools are closing because I don't know how we are going to manage long term with childcare. I am sure lots of people are feeling the same way. I wouldn't post that on SM but your son's a lot younger and I'm sure he'll have learned a lesson with this. Hopefully they will go easy on him.

Ah missed your update. Glad it has all worked out ok

Glad to hear that all worked out for him. 😊

He may get fired and they would be within their rights to get rid of him.

Why? How is what he said a sackable offence? Just mentioning his work on SM gets him sacked now does it?

Why? How is what he said a sackable offence? Just mentioning his work on SM gets him sacked now does it?

OlaEliza It’s gross misconduct. He’s putting the company into disrepute because he’s giving the impression he doesn’t care about work and would rather not be there; implying the company to be a poor employer. He’s also giving off the impression he’s untrustworthy and unreliable.

Even if he hasn’t mentioned Tesco by name, there will be clues on his Facebook as to where he works.

Gross misconduct is of course a sackable offence and rightly so; Tesco will have a social media policy and he is in breech of that.

He’s been very lucky this time. I suspect their desperate need for staff with the Coronavirus is part of the decision not to fire him at this stage.

Wow I really do think that is ridiculous.

You'll find on mumsnet that there are a lot of people who seem to be jammed up employers arses and will always take the "work" side... but that just sounds totally silly. Overkill.

Just read your update OP, glad he got to keep his job. I still think they were highly overreacting though, but well played. :)

Good outcome OP. Bloody he’ll can’t believe how much people are jumping on you. He is 18, did something daft and has learnt from it. Who hasn’t?

I don’t see any problem at all. Are you not allowed to have a laugh anymore? He didn’t say anything derogatory about the company

Do neither you or your little prince watch the news?

People are losing their jobs, companies are folding and people are dying

.In the coming weeks/months people will rely on supermarkets and shops to provide basic necessities.

Many people would be offended by his ignorant, crass little joke.

He is staying off social media for a while anyway.

Might be wise.

Your attitude throughout this thread sucks OP.

He breached his companies social media policy. It doesn't sound serious though, they will probably just have a chat with him about it. It's a learning opportunity for him.