Social Media

A recent Employment Tribunal case involving an unsuccessful claim for unfair dismissal has reinforced the need for employers to have a comprehensive social media policy and to ensure that any inappropriate comments are dealt with in the correct manner.

It also re-emphasises to employees the need to consider what they post on social media and the potential consequences of making negative comments about their employers.

In Plant v API Microelectronics Ltd, the Employment Tribunal rejected the unfair dismissal claim of a long-serving employee with a clean disciplinary record who was dismissed over comments she made on Facebook about her employer. The employer was in the process of moving premises and Ms Plant took to Facebook to write: “bloody place I need to hurry up and sue them PMSL”.

The Ashtons Employment team can advise businesses on a wide range of policies and procedures designed to protect their position.