14.3: Discussion- Employee Rights and Responsibilities
The day she started her new job at a daycare center, Kaitlin Wells posted on social media, “I just really hate being around kids all day.” Twenty-seven hours later, she was unemployed again.
Laws protect an employee from being fired for voicing their political beliefs, assembling with other employees to protest or strike, volunteering at civic organizations or smoking and drinking outside of working hours. But social media adds a whole new dimension to employee rights and responsibilities. What, exactly, is okay to post on social media about work, and what will get you fired?
Discussion Prompt
While an employer is prohibited from firing an employee for the above-mentioned activities, social media is different. As we discussed in the text, making statements that are “egregiously offensive or knowingly and maliciously false,” or “publicly disparaging your employer’s products or services without relating your complaints to any labor controversy” is not protected concerted activity.
Your assignment is to write one or two social media posts about your “job” that could get you fired. Don’t post them on your real social media account! Just share them in this discussion thread. The posts should get you “fired” for different reasons. They should all be safe for classroom discussion (no obscenities, lewd remarks, etc.). Then, create one social media post that covers work related subjects but will not get you fired.
Grading
Share your opinions below and respond to two of your classmates’ thoughts.
| Criteria | Not Evident | Developing | Exemplary | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Submit your initial response |
0 pts
No post made |
5 pts
Post is either late or off-topic |
10 pts
Post is made on time and is focused on the prompt |
10 pts |
| Respond to at least two peers’ presentations |
0 pts
No response to peers |
2
pts
Responded to only one peer |
5 pts
Responded to two peers |
5 pts |
| Total: | 15 pts |
Contributors and Attributions
- Discussion: Employee Rights and Responsibilities. Authored by : Freedom Learning Group. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution