Social media dismissal: sword or shield?

Abstract

The use of social media by employees has increased rapidly and has been met with different results. In the age of the internet, people share their thoughts and opinion on social media without thinking about the repercussions the post might have on the public in general and the workplace in particular. It is undeniable that employees have a constitutional right to privacy and freedom of expression but those rights are not absolute. This dissertation discusses the balance between the employee’s right to privacy and freedom of expression against an employer’s right to good name. It discusses the current legal position on social media and the procedure an employer must follow when disciplining an employee for social media misconduct. The dissertation also looks at the position of social media in the United Kingdom and attempts to draw lessons.