The fact that many kinds of harassment and discrimination in the workplace are unlawful doesn’t mean that workers never face this kind of mistreatment. Employers, co-workers and others with a stake in how companies operate may overstep the law consciously or unconsciously and tread on a worker’s rights in the process.
When mistreatment occurs, it can be tempting to vent about one’s experience on social media. After all, social media platforms act as a modern-day town square and processing one’s experience in such forums can actually serve as a healthy coping mechanism. However, it’s important to understand that while venting about unlawful mistreatment at work isn’t wrong, it may compromise an individual’s ability to hold the offending party or parties accountable for their wrongdoing.
Why is venting on social media a problem?
If you are facing harassment or discrimination in the workplace that may be unlawful, you may be in a strong position to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. By venting on social media, you will be giving those parties access to evidence that can potentially be used to discredit or minimize the impact of your claim.
“But I’m just speaking the truth!” you may be thinking. Unfortunately, even wholly truthfully – and seemingly innocuous – posts on social media can be misinterpreted or even twisted to support the position of those who should be held responsible for trampling on your rights and causing you harm.
Don’t assume that, just because your social media privacy settings are strong, interested parties can’t see what you’re posting. Until your legal situation is fully resolved, be safe instead of sorry and either stay off of social media entirely or be extremely careful when engaging with these platforms.
