To not want to be on work facebook page?

[Sienna333]

My boss said he wants us all to have our photo taken for the works public Facebook page and then have a bit about ourselves underneath it, like favourite film, food, sport etc. I am really not comfortable with this for many reasons. AIBU for saying this?

SolarisIsAClassic If you, as a manager, think that a) this stance is unusual or b) that the employee is a pain in the arse for not wanting to be on Facebook, I'm a bit worried about your management skills.

Her feelings on this aren't unusual at all and she's explained that her role isn't one that requires a professional social media presence for networking etc. Her boss just wants her on the company FB page as a fun gimmick.

If anyone ever does raise this with you as a manager, bear in mind that they may have personal, private and very sensitive reasons they can't/shouldn't have to share for needing to keep their workplace secret on social media - before you decide they're being a pain.

I would be uncomfortable about this too and would say I don't want my photo/details on a public Facebook page for personal reasons. You don't need to go into any detail as to what those reasons are. There's nothing wrong with Facebook, I have an account which is locked down and only have about 30 friends on there. I don't understand how some people fail to appreciate that others may not want their photo or info about them on social media especially a public page.

Is it actually on Facebook, which I agree is weird, or is it on Workplace by Facebook, which is different?

I'd feel deeply uncomfortable about this too. I have a Facebook profile but rarely post photos or updates (use it more to keep in touch with people) and don't specify what my job title is or where I work. I'm expecting my first child soon and have been very clear with family who are on Facebook that I don't want any photos of my child being posted. As others have said you have an absolute right to privacy and your boss can't force you to do this. Hope they're understanding and supportive enough to respect your feelings OP xx

SolarisIsAClassic If you, as a manager, think that a) this stance is unusual or b) that the employee is a pain in the arse for not wanting to be on Facebook, I'm a bit worried about your management skills

I agree with this too. Luckily I am the employer, and there is no way in hell that I would want an employee to feel uncomfortable. (I hate F/book anyway, so post virtually nothing, only use it to keep in touch with old friends).

Were I to be an employee and an employer insisted they post my picture and profile, I'm afraid I would tell them exactly where to go. I get annoyed when friends post my picture on their feeds without my permission. I, too, like my privacy. Posting on social media without the recipient's express permission is a violation of that.

solaris of I've read it right op doesn't have a FB page full stop so it's not about not wanting stuff linked etc it's wanting privacy.

I will definitely say to my boss that I am just not comfortable having that information on a public page (Anyone can view it.) As someone mentioned, it is just a gimmicky thing. Good managers should understand that people have different reasons for not wanting their face and certain details on a public page which anyone can view.

I think it depends on your role tbh

If you are part of a team that's being promoted to get work the I think yabu.

If you're back office support staff, then you are probably not really needed in promotion?

Would you feel uncomfortable if you had a second facebook account with nothing more than a professional headshot and a 'currently works at x'?

Technically against Facebooks T&Cs, which it's cracking down on. It may well lead to both your personal and professional accounts being suspended and if they're deleted, you'll lose all photos etc across both.

Might be the way forward then - except OP hasn't got a personal FB account to lose.

Well, yes, my job does require promotion but I also don't think that should mean my face has to appear on Facebook. There are other ways of promoting a service which does not require what my boss is asking. In reality, I am sure they will be fine with my decision, maybe a bit surprised but I doubt they will push it.