Many of people have this question. Fact is your Employer can terminate you for any reason or no reason at all in many cases.

Sometimes we forget that an Employer is actually a person with a will of their own, for example; an Employer who is incorporated is its own legal entity with rights and privileges just like a person, and a non incorporated business is simply the person who owns the business and just like a private person can end any relationship for any reason or no reason at all, so can your Employer. Of course there are some legal exceptions such as race, sex, or religion; however an Employer can cite no reason without any legal recourse.

So the question of Facebook comes to mind.

If an Employer sees your friends or certain images, it is quite possibly a reason in and of itself. An Employer could make a decision based on a note you wrote or something you post in your status.

So how do you protect yourself?

Quite simply, know your Employer, and know your Supervisor or boss. But keep in mind that your boss has a boss, too; and if your boss’s boss sees something that contradicts with your Employer’s interest, it could possibly cost you your job.

Can you just block your boss or your employer?

You could, however, this could cause you problems, too. If your Employer or boss found out that they were blocked, such as realizing that someone else can “see” you but they can’t, this could be self destructive. Your Employer could perceive this as you hiding something, or could take it personally. Remember that your supervisor is a human being with feelings as well, and this could give her the impression that you don’t like her, which could create a situation that costs you your job.

Selective privacy is effective; this is the process of protecting certain photo albums or friends, but there are ways around it, plus you could make a mistake.

So what the heck can we do?

Be aware of what you post, and be aware of your images. For example, if there is an image of you and your friends smoking marijuana (or what is **perceived** as marijuana), then maybe you should not post it. Even if you are not a smoker, your Employer could use that image to initiate drug testing at work, or if you work for a Publisher (like FTC Publications, Inc. for example), consider not bashing Publishers with a status like “Publishers should all go to hell!”

Now that many Employers have a Facebook page, which is a good thing; we face the dilemma of sacrificing a little liberty if we join the Social Networking revolution (It’s truly not a revolution!! – Companies like FTC Publications, Inc. started social networking in 1989 with BBS systems and internet portals). But not all Employers will understand that Social Networking is a place to express yourself socially which is the purpose; and until every Employer seeks to understand their employees and contractors, you have to be careful. As one of the Social Networking Pioneers, FTC Publications, Inc. understands free expression, but since about 90% of you reading this doesn’t work for them, be careful in the meantime.

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