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Not so smart: ‘Friend’ boss; Whine about your job; Get fired

By Larry Dignan | August 10, 2009, 9:03 AM PDT

Some folks insult a client via Twitter. Other folks friend their bosses and then complain about their jobs.

Social networking is just the best isn’t it?

While these screwups should be relatively easy to avoid it’s amazing how many people still commit social networking suicide.

The latest for the social networking files comes via April Buchheit on FriendFeed. Buchheit’s find was highlighted by The NextWeb.com. Memo to all: Those Facebook comments aren’t exactly private. Doh! (Apologies in advance for the language).

How did this “wanker” boss handle this little episode? Would you do anything differently?

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About Larry Dignan

Larry Dignan is editor-in-chief of SmartPlanet.

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RE: Not so smart: 'Friend' boss; Whine about your job; Get fired

Think of this as 'evolution' in action. She presents herself for a job, disses the boss, he fires her. She either learns to act with more courtesy and discretion, gets another job (after living down her foul-up), or not. If so, then she is a more employable person (and perhaps a better one, if she really learns what courtesy means). If not, then no one employs her. If there were more ways for accountability to work, we would live in a better world.

Of course this happened in a country where anyone who wants to can become a ward of the state. I approve of such support for people, like myself, who really needed it. Recently I was able to change focus in my life, so that I no longer need the support I was receiving. I did not do it alone. Some of the tools that I required for this change were supplied by the support group I was attending.

However, the occasion for the change was a random accident. I was hit by a car while walking home. Gradually, as I recovered from the accident, I discovered that my attitude had changed, and I am now able to take care of myself, instead of depending on the state, or my friends, to do it for me.

Miracle? Or, simply a change in brain chemistry? I have no idea.

I know these last two paragraphs are a bit off-topic, but I have just figured out how I will support myself, and I am so excited that I felt the need to share it with the random strangers who will read this. Thanks for reading this.

Posted by Peter O'Toole

14th Aug 2009

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RE: Not so smart: 'Friend' boss; Whine about your job; Get fired

Posted by Peter O'Toole

14th Aug 2009

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One word... priceless.

I think the boss did EXACTLY what they should have done. They handled the matter swiftly and with all the decorum a person like that deserves. Everyone gets frustrated with their boss every now and then, but you still need to respect them, especially in public.

Posted by Steve Goldman

11th Aug 2009

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RE: Not so smart: 'Friend' boss; Whine about your job; Get fired

i am sorry, but that is just funny. I would have done the same thing if i were her boss. I understand that maybe she was just having a bad day or whatever, but to say that about her BOSS personally? wow.

Posted by elewellyn

11th Aug 2009

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Bad Karma

One of the concepts that continually is reiterated in every management and leadership class I've ever been through is you praise in public, and punish in private. Thing is, that's just as valid for an employee interacting with his or her boss.

You want to diss the boss, do it in private, or do it after you're not working there. And if you do it publicly after leaving, people will still take notice and wonder if they really want you working for them.

Posted by Dr_Zinj

11th Aug 2009

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Forest Gump moment

Appears the employee had a Forest Gump moment (stupid is as stupid does).

If this person were my employee, they would have the same end result. You're FIRED!

As Dr. Z states do it in private, not public, not in the work place or while your still an employee of the organization.

Posted by sportscenterisnext

11th Aug 2009

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RE: Not so smart: 'Friend' boss; Whine about your job; Get fired

How funny!
This girl is obviously not smart enough to pound sand, let alone hold down a position of any responsibility. I pity the fool who gets stuck with her on a long-term basis.

Posted by memartin2

11th Aug 2009

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RE: Not so smart: 'Friend' boss; Whine about your job; Get fired

I?ve been on both sides. I?ve had bosses (not many) who really were
beneath contempt. And I?ve been a supervisor who worked late so his
employees could take off early, even gave my own bosses an ultimatum
that I?d quit myself if they didn?t reverse their decision to, after all, not
hire a young woman who?d already quit her other job to join us. Many (not
all) of my employees still blamed me for all their unhappiness, so an
employer should not expect appreciation from his workers. Work is by
nature stressful and unpleasant and management and labor are unlikely
ever to be best friends, but it?s best all around to be, at least, cordial and
as respectful as possible.

Posted by John Mayer

11th Aug 2009

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RE: Not so smart: 'Friend' boss; Whine about your job; Get fired

"Take heed what ye say of your seniors,
Be your words spoken softly, or plain;
Lest the bird of the air tell the matter,
And, so shall ye hear it, again."

Posted by ShadowIT

11th Aug 2009

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RE: Not so smart: 'Friend' boss; Whine about your job; Get fired

The ONLY thing I would do differently is follow the above mentioned advice, and fire her in private. That said, it would not give us such HILARITY to read. What to do?

Posted by knechod

11th Aug 2009

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Come on

jajajajajajajaja, jajajajajaja I can believe it.... I mean, what was she thinking... you can be completely honest with your boss without being that lame... if you have something to say about your work you have to bring new ideas instead of just whining about it.

in the other hand if you're going to say something nasty about your boss... do it where he can't find out who was it jajajajajajaja.

Deam that was funny.

Posted by kafecadm@...

11th Aug 2009

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RE: Not so smart: 'Friend' boss; Whine about your job; Get fired

Worker needs firing- no dispute from me on that. However, boss should have left a social network post instructing worker to come to boss' office the next day. Boss should have fired worker then. Then worker could unfriend boss (or not) and posted "OMG- that WANKER fired me".

I believe boss created a breach of etiquette by firing through the social networking site- firing for a boss is a workday job. Further, boss should not fire people at a party, bar, or restaurant- not necessarily because they are public venues, but because they are not the workplace.

Similarly, worker could not 'quit' while not at work, worker would have to wait until next work opportunity to quit.

Posted by emblal@...

11th Aug 2009

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RE: Not so smart: 'Friend' boss; Whine about your job; Get fired

Assuming the above interaction is in fact true and not created by the individuals involved there are a number of major management issues that would need to be resolved.
First, any time you fire an employee it requires documentation and management as well as HR approval.
Second, the employee?s right to privacy was violated which provides her with ample cause for a law suit which she would likely win given the right attorney.
Third, the manager?s tirade, including referencing his sexual orientation, provides at the least questionable judgment and may actually provide for a discriminatory action on the part of the employee; even allowing for the fact that currently sexual orientation is not considered by the US judiciary system to be one of the protected classes.
Fourth, the manager?s loss of control in public and his lack of professional judgment in his statements will undoubtedly raise concerns with his managers and will likely eliminate his chances for continued career advancement within the organization if not causing his outright termination.
Management by its nature requires a thick skin. Emotions are acceptable, to a point, but decisions should never be made emotionally, they should be well reasoned and well thought out.
Against these management issues is the statement by the employee. The only issue here is posting the issue in a quasi public environment. This is likely enough to provide grounds for her termination. However, that termination will need to be handled well and within the organization employee policies.
The employee in this instance was wrong in her statements and her postings. However, as a manager I can say that her manager?s handling of the issue was much worse than the employee?s offensive remarks. The manager put the organization at risk and that is simply not acceptable. I do not see where either one of these individuals acted with respect, graciousness, or compassion. Two wrongs will never put things right and I fear that it will take a very long time for each of these individuals to overcome their moments of public anger and humiliation.

Posted by 404tgkilday

11th Aug 2009

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RE: Not so smart: 'Friend' boss; Whine about your job; Get fired

This is an intriguing problem, yes the staff member was out of line, but is her outburst a fireable offence, what is really the difference between her saying this on line or at a pub with work colleagues.
Facebook and twitter etc are public and do need to be treated carefully, this lady is in need of some training in that area, but the employee has not slandered her company, she merely insulted her boss.
He on the other hand has made a real mess, if he had simply had his little tantrum about not being a perv and being gay then one could merely excuse him as being as unprofessional and juvenile as his staff member, but then to comment on her job performance, and fire her in a public arena - he is way out of line, his company is about to be sued and badly.
As mentioned in other posts, when dealing with staff matters, one does them in private in the office ? nowhere else; I don?t think he should even have posted a reply, simply dealt with it the following day in the office after getting advice from his HR team.

Posted by nzrob

11th Aug 2009

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RE: Not so smart: 'Friend' boss; Whine about your job; Get fired

404tgkilday is 100% right...

What her boss said and how he said it was far more despicable than her comments. I'm however, not entirely convinced that she should have been fired. While her comment was in poor judgment, there's nothing in it to identify who he really is or what company she works for (unless that was posted in another comment somewhere). Few people would have ever known who he was if he had not responded to her.

He however, certainly should be fired for making a direct attack against an employee in such a public forum. Management must be held to a higher standard.

@Dr_Zinj... you are right about praise in public and punish in private... however, to imply that she should be held to that (at least to the same degree as he) is completely wrong. I know managers and exec's who have been to dozens of those 'Leadership' or 'Management' seminars and classes, and they still don't understand that concept. To say that a young girl (probably on her first or second job; and a temp to boot) should understand and employ such concepts in ludicrous.

And before you say it, yes... a certain amount of common sense needs to be used.. but... There's a HUGE difference between saying...

..."My job really sucks and my boss is a total *********." ... and

... "I really hate my job at WorldChain Internet, and my manager Bob Carter is a total s**thead!"

Posted by mcmurphy510

11th Aug 2009

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RE: Not so smart: 'Friend' boss; Whine about your job; Get fired

First off, from the language used, it appears that these two are probably from England, so I wouldn't surmise what the US Judiciary system would allow or disallow. Second, it sounds to me like it could be a very small company if the boss is paying her salary. Third, she gave up any right to privacy when she posted on a public forum. Fourth, since she was in a probationary period, she can be fired for any reason and it appears that she wasn't performing her duties very well.

All in all, they both handled it badly and they'll get what they deserve eventually . . .

Posted by topgun@...

11th Aug 2009

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RE: Not so smart: 'Friend' boss; Whine about your job; Get fired

I don't see anything bad about what happened to her - if she hated her job so much then getting fired was probably the best outcome that she could have had.

Girl hates her job, girl loses job, everyone's happy. Move along please.

If I was her boss I'd reply with something along the lines of

"I had no idea you felt that way about working with us, and would rather have appreciated if you had let me know sooner, as I'm going to have to find someone else for the position. Nonetheless, I'll give you (whatever) weeks' notice, hopefully giving you some time to find something more suitable/"

Posted by thomasrutter

11th Aug 2009

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RE: Not so smart: 'Friend' boss; Whine about your job; Get fired

This happened in the UK, not the US. given that wanker is a typical British insult and a P45 is a form that has to be filled out by an employer and sent to HM Revenue and Customs as well as to the former employee.

Posted by tinus42

12th Aug 2009

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RE: Not so smart: 'Friend' boss; Whine about your job; Get fired

This broad is so dipsy she thinks people use alka-seltzer to get high.
She snorted coke once and nearly drowned, but it was the failed NEW Coke, so she tried again when the regular coke came back but had the same result, and she was mystified about why people got busted for selling Coke when it was available in all the Circle K stores where she buys her groceries (little Debbie, Dr. Procto Soda, and Cheesy Poofs), and in coin op machines everywhere.
She used to smoke grass but now lives in an apartment which has Burmuda, and she prefers St. Augustine.
I say put super glue on her favorite perch in the ladies loo(everyone knows her schedule because she thinks it's socially acceptable to (loudly)flatulate hydrogen-sulphate fumes in her cubical, giggle and say "who wants cheese?"
Homeless people moon her. Her dog ran away with a serial killer, her cat hisses when she approaches, and sprays her bed, recliner, and legs, her goldfish regularly suicide.
Her boyfriend quit her when he found out that even though she had 5 oclock shadow, she wasn't a cross-dresser.
She wanted a job so she could get a check, not to do actual work.
Every man she's ever known would rather be a wanker than risk opening her expired "best if used by" box.
She has a perfect figure, for an egg.
Diagnosis; gene pool needs bleach.

Posted by Otis Driftwood

12th Aug 2009

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RE: Not so smart: 'Friend' boss; Whine about your job; Get fired

Posted by Peter O'Toole

14th Aug 2009

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