Employers Risk Harassment Lawsuits From Employees’ Social Media Posts
8-13-2024 by Michelle Travis @ www.forbes.com
The majority of employees think it’s “unethical” for employers to scroll through employee social media accounts, according to a 2023 Monster survey. Employees often believe that what they post online—particularly when they’re off-duty and off-premises—is a private matter. It’s time to debunk that misperception. Employers are not just allowed to view employees’ online activity. Employers actually have a legal obligation to respond to certain employee social media posts. When an employee’s online activity creates a hostile work environment for a co-worker, employers may be liable if they fail to act. The employer’s responsibility applies even when employees’ social media activity takes place after hours and offsite.