Workplace policing of personal social media useage - Employment law

[Dillytante]

I was just wondering what the legalities are around the workplace monitoring what you say online and using it for disciplinary purposes. I read an article telling businesses to educate their staff about being professional online (in fact they used the phrase 'profersonal - professional and personal ), advising staff not to get involved in controversial discussions online. It made me wonder how much scope they have to 'control' our personal activities?

I'm asking as I want t write a blog post on the issue. I know what my feelings are about the matter but I am just wondering what the legalities are. Any information appreciated.

A close family member of mine is an employment lawyer and has worked in house in several massive national retail brands. She was quite clear that part of her role was to ensure that employees talked the company line at all times. Breaches were stamped upon very quickly. Any sort of on line criticism of their employer was a total no no.

She has now moved out of retail and the world of brand religion...

There's tonnes of case law on this! Kass was on specific facts. Trust me when I tell you it is just like anything else - if they follow their own procedures and policies they can sack you without recourse. Kass "won" because they didn't follow policy, not because you can't sack someone for FB comments. The consequence? New policies and procedures to ensure faster, easier sackings.

This is a watertight use of social media policy

Beryl