Social Networking Sites 'Could Risk Employment'
Social networking websites such as Facebook, MySpace and Bebo should be used with caution reports Darren Meads, Branch ICT Officer.
Social networking websites are highly popular with people of all ages and are ranked as some of the most successful websites ever. Risks exist with identity theft and more recently, concerns over the professional conduct of employees.
Facebook, which allows people to create profiles and share photos and messages with their chosen 'friends', can often lead users worryingly exposed. Some staff members are advertising their professions alongside pictures of drunken nights out.
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 Employees have the right to privacy, but when they advertise their transgressions publicly on sites like Facebook, we can't expect the Trust to continue to ignore it  |
Darren Meads, Head of Branch ICT, warns that it is unreasonable for us to continue to expect the Trust to ignore staff who are promoting 'questionable' activities.
Meads says: "Employees have the right to privacy, but when they advertise their transgressions publicly on sites like Facebook, we can't expect the Trust to ignore it."
"When an employer see's a photo of a staff member involved in repeated drunken behavior, it could be viewed with concern. But when the same photograph is available to the general public, it creates an issue of public confidence for that employer."
"A quick glance at Facebook shows evidence that some employers may consider to be bringing them into disrepute. Whilst there is presently no suggestion that the Trust is interested in Facebook profiles, staff should not test the limits. Working in our industry brings a higher set of responsibilities."
The advice comes as many organisations begin dismissing staff based on their activities on social networking sites. Activities such as drinking to excess, fighting, drug smoking or otherwise promoting unacceptable behavior is bound to bring about potential dismissals.
Court Ruling
A recent court ruling reported in The Register suggests that employers might have grounds to demand ownership of their employees’ social networking information, if it has been prepared in the course of their employment. That means details of photos, conversations or videos between you and other Trust employees could be made available to your employer by law.
Some employers are even openly reporting that they use social networking sites to check up on prospective staff when the come for appointments or promotions.
Professional Standards
Meads also suggests that theoretically the HPC could become involved with the Facebook saga. Social networking sites are fun to use and whilst most people use them only outside their work time, consideration must still be given to the HPC's Code of Conduct.
"Technically, details of a paramedic's social life maybe a concern for the HPC under their various professional standards. In any case, patients or potential complainants would have the ability to learn far more about their practitioner than was ever intended."
Darien Kevell, an Internet Security Expert, suggests that staff members in jobs within the public or emergency sector should be very careful of having pictures of them online.
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Technically details of a paramedic's social life may become a concern for the HPC under their various professional standards |
"Everyone needs to be very cautious of putting too much personal data on any social network site. Employees of public service sectors should really avoid having any pictures of their social activities on public websites."
Staff should never put photographs or details of any work related incidence on Facebook, MySpace or any social networking site. This includes photographs of Trust vehicles, RTA's, patients or internal buildings.
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