Threatened with being reported to my work

[Gemm83]

Last night after a couple of drinks I was on FB and noticed someone on a selling page selling small hand sanitisers. One for £5 and five for £20. This past week I have been a mess. Anxiety through the roof and I just lost it. I called the seller all manner of names (even the bad one). Whilst almost everyone agreed with me (but not with the language) there were a couple who called me a bully and a troll. I apologised for my language but repeated that I would not apologise for calling someone out on trying to make a profit out of people's anxiety and panic.

My own fault but my profile is public as is what I do for a living. I am admin in local government authority. Two people went on and mentioned who I work for and that all my comments had been screenshotted and will be sent off to my employer to demonstrate how unprofessional I am and that I'm bringing my employer into disrepute. I text my boss straight away and told her. But I'm now having panic attacks. I can't lose my job. I was just so angry and had a momentary lapse of control. I am so upset. Crying uncontrollably. What can I do/should I do? I'm currently on mat leave and due to return in April. 😭

I don't mind being called an idiot... I was! Thankyou for all your responses 😊

In my work if you state where you work on Facebook you have to put a clause to say that your views don't represent that of your employer. Might be worth putting that in your bio if you're still listing where you work on your profile (whether it's public, private, any).

I very much doubt that your employer will discipline you for calling out behaviour that the CMA has specifically said won't be tolerated

Do be daft. Firstly there is a way to call people put. Like it or not, people working for the local government swearing on socials media is 'local government worker abuses people on Facebook'.

I doubt the ops employer has told them it's fine to get into a facebook argument because CMA said it's not ok to do.

Your worl should never be viable on facebook because personal comments quickly become twisted.

And to top it off, her manager will now get this message on a Saturday. I would be really fucked off if I to deal with this shit at the weekend.

Op, theres a possibility you could be disciplined. Probably not sacked unless theres something else on your record. They probably wont even report you. But theres really no excuse for getting lairy on facebook. If the current situation is that you are so worried you behave like this, maybe tale a step back from social media, for your own piece of mind.

@Mayaaaaa

What I said was completely out of character for me and I totally ashamed of how I said it. I don't apologise for calling her out though. Other posters were asking admin to remove the advert saying exactly the same thing as me, just not as colourful. I have an unblemished record and am respected hard working member of team, which makes this all the more embarrassing. I snapped, and for that I'm truly apologetic and did apologise for my language.

Why snap?

No one was making you buy the sanitiser.

Just scroll past.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I really wish I had of done. Really.

If your employer raises this, just apologise. It's likely they'll know it was out of character. If you explain it was a lapse in judgment fuelled by anxiety of a unique situation, they'd be really harsh to take it further.

off subject slightly (different angle) but I would be concerned about buying sanitiser from this kind of seller & would probably post a query about whether this was a fake sanitiser which could be dangerous/unreliable & that people shouldn't buy it - ie questioning the source
I wish people wouldn't swear at the drop of the hat, without thinking how it might affect themselves or whether the person who its directly at (case of delivery driver on another thread is a case in point - however feel free to insult Trump)

I also think texting your boss was very unwise. The people probably would not have told your company anyway. I would have waited.

You’re a bully and a troll, and you’re gutted that you’ve there are going to be consequences stemming from your behaviour. I’ve no sympathy whatsoever. You haven’t given a thought to the person you called vile names. It’s not like this person is making vast amounts of money, is it? 5 bottles for £20 and you’re calling them a cunt?

Profiteering is shameful. Most people would have access to sanitiser etc if unscrupulous gits weren’t trying to sell it for ridiculous amounts. I’d understand making a couple of quid sure. But expecting £20 odd quid for something that cost £2 odd is a disgrace.

I hate seeing vile being bandied about as I can only imagine the sneery mouth that goes with it. And it seem to be trotted out on here - along with a snarky wow just wow - often.

But I will reserve my viles for greedy shameless profiteers.

You were daft OP - but not unreasonable for calling them out.

@SybilDisobedience

I am not looking for sympathy. I was asking for advice. I do believe 5 teeny bottles of hand sanitisers, been clearly marketed for their antibacterial properties as taking the mick, especially in the current climate. I am also fully prepared to accept the consequences of my behaviour. It doesn't prevent me from being extremely anxious about it though.

@daisypond
I'm lucky that I can also call my boss a very close friend. She has known me for many years, and knows this isn't my general behaviour.

I've only ever called someone that word once before and that was Trump.

Ah, ok, that’s a bit different if your boss is a friend

You can disagree but to be abusive and bully individual because you disagree with them is simply unacceptable

You’re a bully and a troll

How is this bullying? Seriously, people's use of the word is getting out of hand.

If I call Boris Johnson a lying cunt, am I bullying him? Even though he is one? By this logic, yes

I'm in HR in a local authority. We're only really interested in what happens on social media if you identify yourself as one of our employees and then go on to say something that either brings us as a Council into disrepute or has some direct link to your actual job role.

Unless you're in trading standards it doesn't look like you've got a lot to worry about!

@ProfYaffle
Thankyou for this.

I mentioned nothing at all in my posts about what I do for a living and or my particular role. One person just looked at my profile and saw who I work for and it went from there.

By having your employer so easily available on facebook, you have already identified yourself.

Also doing what you did brings the council into disrepute.

Because instead of being some woman having a rant. It's not 'local council worker, abuse facebook users'.

I am surprised someone working in HR in a local council could spot that this exactly what they described.

At the end of the day, the person selling it was distasteful. But they are a private citizen. Unless you can prove they are running a business (sounds like they are but not that easy to prove) the CMA doesnt apply.

They simply could have found themselves with extra HS.

The problem with things like they dont get reported to very good friend/manager. They get reported somewhere more independent.

I get you regret it OP. You say you arent normally like that. But it was reckless. I hope its sorts itself out. But I dont think this thread is a good example of 'I was drunk and worried.' Isnt an excuse for abusing people on social media and can have lasting impacts.

No worries. Probably wise to take your place off work off your profile though

I don't think this puts your business in a position of disrepute. As others have said - you may get a reminder about privacy settings and use of language but in the grand scheme of things it's not a biggy.

@ProfYaffle

Already have. Naive I know but I've had FB since it first began (12/13 years?) I have always had my employer on there. It has never occurred to me that it would be an issue as I have never done anything like this before. Fallen foul this time though. Such an idiot.

Have they never issued a social media policy?
That may help you.

I would surprised if they dont have one, though.

I'm glad you said it. People like them are disgusting. I'm sure your boss will be on your side.

Everywhere I've worked this would be a disciplinary at least. Like you say, you've learned a valuable lesson. But it might cost more than you thought unfortunately. If it stays within the company and you just get a bollocking that's best case scenario really, because it's the sort of thing local papers lap up. I hope it gets sorted quickly and you can move on without too much fallout.

What did your boss say?

@GilchristQ

Yes they do. I just didn't think. It was just a moment of pure rage. I know it might come across as a complete and total overreaction.. It was.. Looking back and I feel like a total fool for doing it. But it is done now.