Firing Employees for Their Social Media Posts: Ethical and Legal Issues

Abstract

This business case provides a hypothetical set of facts in which an employee uses social media to complain about an employer. The employee made the complaints on his own time and using personal equipment. The student is placed in the role of a restaurant manager, who must navigate the ethical and legal boundaries of workplace speech and company social media policies, by interacting with social media and human resources professionals and with the very employee posting questionable content on social media. This case also has students explore perspectives on workplace privacy issues, and whether employees are responsible for their actions while off company time and on personal equipment.

This case was prepared for inclusion in Sage Business Cases primarily as a basis for classroom discussion or self-study, and is not meant to illustrate either effective or ineffective management styles. Nothing herein shall be deemed to be an endorsement of any kind. This case is for scholarly, educational, or personal use only within your university, and cannot be forwarded outside the university or used for other commercial purposes.

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