Being talked about on internet/social networking sites in a work capacity

[OneLostSoul]

Have name changed for this.

Not sure this is even the right place for this so will also post in chat for increased traffic.

I have recently discovered that a family I have been working with have set up web pages and a facebook page criticising the service provided by myself and my colleagues. They don't mention me by name but it is pretty obvious that they are referring to me. Some of the statements they have made about me are horribly critical and upsetting and, most importantly, untrue. Obviously due to confidentiality I can't comment on these criticisms but I am extremely upset that they can say these things about me (and encourage their friends and family to post vile things about me too) on a public page. The fact that they are criticising me so much hurts me deeply as I have gone above and beyond the call of duty for them, working unpaid overtime to the detriment of my own family life to try and help them. I understand that they are upset and feel the need to vent but I am so sad and frustrated that I have no right to reply and that my efforts have clearly not been appreciated.

This is really affecting me, I am finding it really hard to motivate myself at home and at work, have spent the last couple of days in tears while dh and the kids are away and I just don't know what to do. I tried so hard for them and others and it feels like there is no point carrying on working so hard if this is the end result.

I haven't discussed this with my colleagues as I don't want them feeling like this too and as far as I know none of them are aware these pages exist. I also know that I should just stop reading these pages but I need to know what is being said.

Mostly I just wanted to get this off my chest as I don't have anyone else to share it with but has anybody else been in a similar position? Any advice? Thanks if you got this far, as you can probably tell, this has really upset me.

From the description you give this may be libel. It depends whether or not what they have written can be classed as fair comment. If their comments are libellous you may be able to get Facebook to remove them and their web host to take down the site they have set up (if that is what they have done - I'm not entirely clear from your post). You may want to consult a solicitor who specialises in this area of law. If the comments are libellous I would suggest the first step is a letter, possibly from a solicitor, asking them to remove existing comments and not post anything further.

You may, of course, decide it is better to simply ignore them, especially if their posts are not causing problems for you (other than upsetting you, obviously) or your business.

I'd speak to your manager.

There's a name and shame site at the moment about social workers and we've had an email to say although no one from our la is on it they are monitoring it and if we see anything on other sites to let them know as they will take legal action.

We've had that too floaty

I have had the same as a HV and know it hurts when you have tried so hard with families.
My manager was good about it and helped me put it into perspective. These people are so dysfunctional in their own lives and do not have any social boundaries so why should we expect anyother kinds of behaviour from them ?
The only time I have taken it further was with a comment about one of my own children which was implying a threat to her. This went straight to the police who spoke to the family warning them of possible prosecution so it stopped.
Definitely I only work the hours I am now paid for.Dont put everything into the job as you are finding out it can be soul destroying.

I don't work with the general public but if any of my clients did this I would be fuming. I would also refuse to work with them any longer as I don't feel that their attitudes towards me are conducive to a good working partnership.

Their behaviour is impairing your quality of life. I'd definitely speak to your line manager or whoever is up the next step from yourself as it's extremely unfair.