Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

As a line manager can I demand to see someone's Facebook pages?

277 replies

MaryMotherOfCheeses · 21/02/2009 19:31

Because someone who works with me took three days off recently due to "a stomach bug".

I've been told her Facebook pages say she went away for a few days and got pissed with her friends.

Assuming she doesn't own up when I confront her, can I insist on seeing her Facebook pages? If there's no such stuff on there, why would she hide it?

What do you think?

OP posts:
Simplysally · 21/02/2009 20:33

The Union would have a field day if one of my managers wanted to see FB pages of any of their staff (We are barely allowed to write to the staff on a general basis). Tempting as it must be, I have to echo everyone else on here - use your organisation's disciplinary procedures and/or ref to OH if the sickness seems excessive.

nkf · 21/02/2009 20:34

What's the NA?

stuffitllama · 21/02/2009 20:36

half these posts are defending someone who probably defrauded her employer

what are you like? call in the union???!

I bet the op's right

but you can't ask to see the pages

BlameItOnTheBogey · 21/02/2009 20:37

You can't insist on seeing her FB pages but am genuinely shocked by how many people on here think you should turn a blind eye and that what she is alleged to have done is not that bad.

glucose · 21/02/2009 20:39

yes i think it does rookie, have witnessed huge fraud in public sector pretty much go unpunished thanks to union representation, so a couple of days off sick is nothing.

Original poster
MaryMotherOfCheeses · 21/02/2009 20:40

Right, I'm now very very bored of this.

I got the message after the first 10 posts.

There's some really bizarre conclusions being jumped to on here. And I'm amazed how many people are taking the side of "the poor lowly member of staff being bullied by her evil manager."

I'm very sorry for idly musing on something on a Saturday night.

I'd forgotten how vitriolic AIBU can be.

OP posts:
nkf · 21/02/2009 20:42

It can be a problem though. I'm sure many many people have thrown a sickeie. And similarly people have gone in and worked when they were ill or done beyond the call of duty when there was a push on.

But sometimes people are taking the piss.

glucose · 21/02/2009 20:45

don't think your evil - just need some supervision yourself

Simplysally · 21/02/2009 20:48

I'm defending no one or implying that there is bullying going on, but giving advice from my pov.

Procedures are there to protect everyone.

lolster · 21/02/2009 20:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tiggerlovestobounce · 21/02/2009 20:51

You dont sound evil, or a bully. And pretending you are sick when you are really on holiday isnt acceptable.
You just cant demand to see someones Facebbok page.

gigglewitch · 21/02/2009 20:56

MMOC, pleeease set up a thread somewhere else (topic wise) and get the HR folks to help out
let this one go in the chat-bin ...well only 89 more days to go???

nooka · 21/02/2009 20:59

I think you have just posted in the wrong place. There are some great advisors who hang out in the employment threads, who might give you some ideas on how to handle your sick leave issue. But it is a minefield, so you need to be very careful, get your HR department support etc otherwise you could very easily be wrong footed should your staff member "know her rights".

TinkerBellesMumandFiFi2 · 21/02/2009 21:10

I think the OP knows the answer but is venting and won't actually do it. I can imagine it must be frustrating when you know someone has done it and bragged about it on FB but you can't prove it.

I don't think it says anything about the person who told either, I think they're probably peed off that they had to cover for her when she went on a holiday she shouldn't have and then flaunts it on FB.

I've thought about horrible things I'd like to do to someone I know is playing me but I can't prove it. Doesn't mean I would or don't know any better, it's just a way to make myself feel better.

giggle this isn't chat

CuddlyKelpie · 21/02/2009 21:12

I don't really think you can demand to see her facebook profile but I agree with your reason for wanting to.
You could ask your IT department about any non work related online activity and see what that threw up.

Facebook is not the same as personal post IMHO because it is published on the www. It might be protected by security settings etc but it is no longer the property of the individual. Have you tried searching her to see if her profile is public?

Follow the book and don't give her an inch is my take on the matter.

gigglewitch · 21/02/2009 21:14

thanks Tink - I realised that AIBU doesn't expire AFTER I'd hit the 'post' button

Katiestar · 21/02/2009 21:19

I think its a 'human rights' issue if you start probing into stuff like this.

Original poster
MaryMotherOfCheeses · 21/02/2009 21:19

I'd already planned to talk to HR on this particular issue.

I've already started disciplinary procedures on her performance and capability which are in line with "the book."

I was just idly wondering on this particular subject.

I shouldn't have posted in AIBU. As I say, I'd forgotten how vitriolic it could be.

Anyone else want to contribute saying I can't demand to see her FB pages? Because I don't think i got the message the first 1000 times.

OP posts:
ScottishMummy · 21/02/2009 21:20

follow appropriate protocols and procedures but don't challenge over FB-you will look like loon stalker boss.

BUT when recruiting for candidates many firms do look on FB and google.people need to e aware what you post is accessible to many

Original poster
MaryMotherOfCheeses · 21/02/2009 21:21

You don't see white dog poo much these days, do you? Why's that?

Ghosts. Ever seen a ghost?

OP posts:
rookiemater · 21/02/2009 21:24

Mary go and get yourself a large glass of wine and breathe.

When I was a very naive poster I remember starting a thread that I thought would be relatively innocuous, it was in Travel FFS, but ended up with 100s or vitriolic messages. Chin up and move on to the next thread.

gigglewitch · 21/02/2009 21:24

ooh another poo thread, I spend lots of time posting on those. snot's another good one

PS you will love me, I kill threads [and if you wish i can get the rest of the twilight thread-killers to come as well?]

Original poster
MaryMotherOfCheeses · 21/02/2009 21:25

Now I'm interested! what was so wrong with your Travel post???

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 21/02/2009 21:25

Blimey you're being very harsh and rude to the OP.

gigglewitch · 21/02/2009 21:25

anyway. why did dogs used to do white poo and they don't any more?