Luckily for managers, a popular new Web tool makes it easier to catch lying and rule-breaking employees:
Twitter.
For those who don’t know, Twitter is a social networking site that lets users post short updates about what they’re currently doing or thinking. Naturally, work is a common topic.
But poking around the site shows many users don’t understand that what they say can be read by not only friends and colleagues, but also bosses and HR. Updates range from the simple “goofing off at work” to more serious admissions.
Here are some examples of most ridiculous workplace Twitter gaffes, according to the online resume service ResumeBear:
- “I used a new Autosend email feature last night on my boss. Completely fooled him! He called me this a.m. to thank me for working so late!”
- “I’ve been sleeping with my boss for years and haven’t gotten a promotion yet. It’s not worth it.”
- “I am currently trying to decide which disease to fake so I can leave work early.”
- “Work was crappy today, my boss is a stupid idiot.”
- “I lied about being sick on Friday, now I really am sick.”
- “I hate the fact that they have Twitter blocked at my job … Gotta do it from my phone.”
What would happen if a manager at your company found a quote like those on an employee’s Twitter page? Is it grounds for firing? Or should the boss look the other way? Let us know in the comments section below.