Firefighter fired over Facebook comments

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Permalink Reply by Pierre-Louis LAMBALLAIS on March 1, 2011 at 3:22pm

Hi Karen,

First I think that trying to "control" thinks like Facebook, Twitter and other internet systems is stupid. You can't control them. You must accept them.

In that case and in many others, these systems only put the light on things, which exist for a long time. A few centuries ago, the boss was a "f... bastard", a few years ago, he was still a "f... bastard" and in the next century, he will be a "f... bastard". He is the chief, so, he's a "f.... bastard". That's all.

The difference came from the possibilty to say that to more people than the guys at the Fire service. But in fact, this is like pronographie: internet show X website, but if you read the books from the Marquis de Sade (1740-1814) you will see there is nothing new.

The question is not "who will control?" the main question is "The boss is or is not a f... bastard? and if yes, why?"

Unfortunatly, for historical, and commercial purpose, the fireservice is the best "self estime builder". The population love the firefighter, and we see (just look around the web site) commercial adds talking of the "Bravest" (with a "B" , not a "b" of course!). Each time a firefighter die, this is not his fault. Each time a trucks have an accident, this is because of because and because but never the fault of the FF.

By self persuasion, the FF tend to believe they are really good, and create a "Father Xmas land" in which they live, happy, so happy...

And in this marvellous land, the word "brotherhood" has a special definition: this is fact that everybody say everybody is marvellous. Perhaps because each FF know, inside of him, that he is not so good and that, by saying to other they are good, he hopes, the other will do the same with him.

 

I think it would be very interessting to know the opinion of other FF from the fireservice which "terminate" this firefighter.

 

Best regards

Pierre-Louis / http://wwww.tantad.com

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Permalink Reply by Art "Chief Reason" Goodrich on March 1, 2011 at 8:02pm

http://community.fireengineering.com/profiles/blog/show?xg_source=a...

I can only think of one, recent case where the firing of the employee wasn't upheld. An EMT got her job back on appeal, but I would guess that, if the service appeals, it might be reversed.

Supreme Court has ruled in the past that public employees have "limited" free speech.

People want to believe that their time on the social medias are their own, but once they bring in their employer; it's no longer ME but WE.

Users must be smart; what they make public.

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Permalink Reply by Karen Corrigan on March 2, 2011 at 1:28pm

As I watch the news today and see that people can now legally scream and yell at a persons funeral that they deserved to die because its god's will (a ton of explenitives would follow if I could) because it's their right to free speech.  How in the world can you then turn around and say that firing someone for using their right to free speech to bad mouth their department is right?  Now, realize, I agree that anyone who talks against their departments online are just plain idiots, but the dilemma is people's Rights.  If they can't tell you what to do in your personal time...why are they allowed to dictate what you can SAY on your personal time?

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Permalink Reply by Art "Chief Reason" Goodrich on March 2, 2011 at 1:34pm

Because employers can use broad terms in their disclaimer.

For instance; if they say in their employee conduct policy "commit any action that could bring embarrassment to the employer"; they pretty much have it sealed.

Then, a judge has to decide if it did.

Remember that courts can change as frequently as the wind on matters involving interpretation of the Constitution.

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Permalink Reply by Karen Corrigan on March 2, 2011 at 1:48pm

Interesting point.  An "other duties as assigned" type of clause.  I guess then the arguement in court would then be whether the policy was intended to dictate the employees actions while on the clock, or at all.  We are at a cross roads where the internet is changing the way people do business...now it seems it'll start changing the way we even act.  I still worry this is going to drive people back into the "can't talk about it" cloud and items that should be discussed, as in if there were actual problems with a chief, or other safety issues, will again be swept under the carpet because of fear of losing one's job. 

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Permalink Reply by Pierre-Louis LAMBALLAIS on March 2, 2011 at 2:24pm

You can talk of employee but we must never forget that the "boss" is the population. We can't accept to play the game from one side but not on the other. I accept the fact that a FF can be fired if he made criticism without reason.

But we must also accept a chief, doing wrong order creating problem on the fire scene, and sometimes death, must also face the Judge.

 

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Permalink Reply by Art "Chief Reason" Goodrich on March 2, 2011 at 4:11pm

Google "employees fired over facebook" and see how many links you get.

It is an eye-popper.

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