to think that most people don't have the first clue how destructive facebook can be to a career

[ReallyTired]

I feel for young teens/ students who post all kinds of rubbish on facebook with scant regard to who might read it. (Ie. school, future employer) Even older people do not realise that if you post something then your "friends" can share it and something can quickly be spread across the word. If you have contraversial opinons be sure who you share them with.

I had a shock when a post written by a TA at my son's school came up on my timeline. One of my "friends" had shared the post and commented on it. I am sure the TA never intended the post to read by parents of the kids that she worked with. I had never realised that the woman in question was a facist Britain First supporter. I find it frightening that she works with EAL kids and holds such views.

There is a theory that there is six aquaintances between everyone on earth. I imagine it could be quite possible for a head teacher to find themselves reading a post by a TA. If I was a head teacher and found out that a TA supported British First then I would not renew their contract if their role involved working with EAL children.

I know a Doctor who got severely disciplined because of what was on his FB status. The mother of a child he treated looked him up on FB, purely just for curiosity, and saw something she did not like and reported him to the Trust.

I know a Doctor who got severely disciplined because of what was on his FB status. The mother of a child he treated looked him up on FB, purely just for curiosity, and saw something she did not like and reported him to the Trust.

Britain first tend to post photos (to gain followers, etc) that most people would agree with and don't expose their racist views. Is it one of those types?

My children have fake names on Facebook for this very reason.

This is the kind of photo I mean.

All the teachers that I know that use social media use names other than their own name for that very reason.

I agree that we aren't away how much information about us is freely available in the public domain eg 192 to find out where people live.

I think most people who post Britain's first posts don't realise what it is they fall for the photo or link

I work in a local FE college. I know of 2 people who've lost their jobs because of Facebook.

1 for inappropriate inboxes to a student and one for a status about students

unfortunately you cannot fire someone or refuse to renew a contract based on their racist views and unless she is making comments about the kids or the school there is very little they can actually do other than give her a verbal warning

I would tend to agree. Several of my colleagues post angry, often sweary, statuses about something or other at work. They think no harm can come of it as they are not FB 'friends' with either our branch manager or the area manager.

Both managers are well aware, however. Would you choose to promote someone who is constantly badmouthing either the company or you personally on social media? No, nor me.

As far as Britain First posts go, some are definitely more offensive than others. The one I have just seen says "ban the burka. There could be anyone in there!"

This is why I don't have FB, far too risky in my job and I can't believe others do. Last thing I want is my clients seeing my life outside work (shudders)

The TA's comments on the post were blatently racist. I don't want to post the comments for fear of outing myself or spreading the bilige that Britain First produces.

I hate the way that Britain First tacks themselves on charities like the British Legion or Help for Heroes. The reality is that people died so that we could be free and I am sure that my great grandparents would be horrified at what has been written in their name.

As a teacher I would definitely be sacked (quite rightly) if I posted racist comments on a social media network.

I don't think liking a Britain First photo, heinously stupid though it obviously is, is a sackable offence for a TA.

It's two separate issues really: is it OK to hold & express objectionable opinions & work with children (yes, so long as you aren't breaking the law on hate speech), & is it OK to be indiscreet on FB - well, it'd probably be quite hard to discipline you in an existing job for expressing an opinion, so long as you didn't break the law OR breach any confidentiality specifically to do with work, but it would certainly stand a good chance of putting off prospective employers.

Ah ok, wasn't sure if she had just been caught out by one of their sneaky marketing tactics.

In that case, could you print the post and meet with the Head?

Oh and I totally agree -YANBU!

I agree that many peoole are naive re FB. But surely people should not face a disciplinary for posting political views? Otherwise, where do we draw the line? Can people express support for labour? Lib-deb? The Greens? We live in a democracy and that means being tolerent of the political views of others, no matter how abhorrent you may find them.

I don't want to cause trouble for the TA. Her opinon is not illegal and I feel she has a right to freedom of speech. She hasn't broken any confidentiality or written anything about work.

Where do you draw the line? Is joining UKIP a sackable offence? Britian First maybe obnoxious, but its not an illegal group. I suppose a TA could join the BNP.

I was told, at an INSET Day, 10 yrs ago, not to go on Facebook. I didn't. Plenty did. It has cost jobs. Why pap yourself?

A friend can't share your post unless your post is visible to more than just friends. What some people forget, is that is you post on a public page, like Britain first, then that will come up on your friends walls and can be shared for the world to see.
I don't think that FB is dangerous as such, I just think people need to be more careful how they use it. You need a proper understanding about how privacy works and give far more consideration to what you post, because anything can be screen captured.

My fb rule is...

If you wouldn't do it in the playground, don't do it on the internet.

I have worked with a TA who posted many, many photos of her hen weekend, complete with close up mouth near penis shots during a show featuring a male stripper. She is friends with both parents and recent ex pupils ( primary).

Another TA changed her profile picture to one of her smoking an enormous spliff. Just in case anyone was in doubt, the caption was, "Spliiifffff!"

Alpaca - would you really do that? ?

When I got my latest job I was told we had been looked up on Facebook as they wouldn't employ someone without doing that. One of my colleagues got reprimanded for writing about a bad day as she had our company listed as her employer. I am fairly careful about what I post.

I am a TA too btw!