Swiss Woman Caught Surfing Facebook While 'Home Sick' From Work
According to <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE53N4JF20090424" target="_hplink">Reuters</a>, an employee of Nationale Suisse called out sick from work, claiming that "she could not work in front of a computer as she needed to lie in the dark." When she was discovered to be surfing Facebook from home, she was terminated. The woman maintained that she had used her iPhone to check her Facebook page from bed; however, Nationale Suisse issued a statement saying explaining that the incident "had destroyed its trust in the employee."
NFL Cheerleader Fired Over Pictures
Caitlin Davis, an 18-year-old cheerleader with the New England Patriots, was fired over photos she posted to Facebook. <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1182668/new_england_patriots_cheerleader_caitlin.html" target="_hplink">Associated Content </a> describes the snapshots:
<blockquote>The pictures showed Davis and an unidentified friend leaning over a passed-out boy whose entire face and body was covered in distasteful graffiti. "Penis," (accompanied by said phallic symbols) 'I'm a Jew' and a couple swastikas are only some of the things drawn all over the unfortunate unconscious friend.</blockquote>
Juror Dismissed After Facebook Slip
A juror in the UK was dismissed after she disclosed sensitive case information on her Facebook profile, <a href="http://tech.uk.msn.com/news/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=149588992" target="_hplink">MSN</a> reports. "I don't know which way to go, so I'm holding a poll" the juror wrote, asking her Facebook friends to weigh in on the case.
13 Virgin Atlantic Crew Members Insult Safety Standards, Passengers In Facebook Group
Virgin Atlantic took disciplinary action against 13 crew members who participated in a Facebook discussion that "criticised [Virgin's] safety standards and insulted passengers," according to the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/nov/01/virgin-atlantic-facebook" target="_hplink">Guardian</a>. The individuals "posted messages on Facebook referring to passengers as "chavs" and making jokes about faulty engines," explains the Guardian, adding that they also "joked that planes were full of cockroaches and claimed the airline's jet engines were replaced four times in one year.comments joked that planes were full of cockroaches and claimed the airline's jet engines were replaced four times in one year."
The comments were promptly removed, the group was "sacked," and Virgin did not disclose many details other than a statement saying the unruly employees had "brought the company into disrepute."
Waitress Fired For Complaining About Customers
Ashley Johnson, a former waitress at Brixx, a pizza restaurant, claims she was fired from her job for complaining about customers on her Facebook account.
According to <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501465_162-20005894-501465.html" target="_hplink">CBSNews</a>, Johnson became irritated after she had to stay past her shift to wait on a table of two. When the table finally cleared out, they left what Johnson deemed an inadequate tip. "Thanks for eating at Brixx," she <a href="http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2010/05/17/Waitress-fired-for-Facebook-comment/UPI-39861274136251/">reportedly</a> wrote on her Facebook page, before using profanity and calling the customers "cheap."
Johnson told <a href="http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2010/05/17/Waitress-fired-for-Facebook-comment/UPI-39861274136251/" target="_hplink"> UPI.com</a> that she accepts responsibility for her actions but didn't expect to be fired over something she calls "very small." One of the restaurant's co-owners, however, said that Johnson had violated company policy: "We definitely care what people say about our customers."
Eagles Employee Alleges Termination For Calling The Team 'Retarted'
Dan Leone, a game-day employee at the Philadelphia Eagles stadium, told the Philadelphia Inquirer that he was fired for criticizing the team via Facebook. After the Eagles' beloved safety Brian Dawkins signed to the Denver Broncos, Leone <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Eagles-fire-employee-for-calling-them-retarted-?urn=nfl,146801" target="_hplink">posted</a> the following status update: "Dan is [expletive] devastated about Dawkins signing with Denver. . .Dam Eagles R Retarted!!"
Days later, Leone said he was contacted by the team's director of event operations regarding his Facebook post. Leone deleted that post, but couldn't save his job.
Grocery Store Fires Employees Because Of 'Derogatory' Facebook Group
<a href="http://www.farmboy.ca/index.php?action=recipes.faqlinks" target="_hplink">Farm Boy</a>, a Canadian grocery store chain fired seven employees for creating a Facebook group ("I got Farm Boy'd") that mocked customers and <a href="http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/business/story.html?id=8b2bf234-06b4-419f-b5f7-35e3dc338637" target="_hplink">included</a> "verbal attacks against customers and staff." "No one was terminated for simply posting on a website," Farm Boy president Donny Milito told <a href="http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/business/story.html?id=8b2bf234-06b4-419f-b5f7-35e3dc338637" target="_hplink">Canada.com</a>, "We have always been about respecting our customers and employees. ... In the end I felt we had to stand up and defend ourselves in the best interest of our customers."
Georgia Teacher Fired For 'Inappropriate' Photos And Comments
A Georgia high school teacher claims she was forced to resign after her principal "questioned her about about her Facebook page, which included photos of her holding wine and beer and an expletive," <a href="http://www.cbsatlanta.com/news/21573759/detail.html" target="_hplink">CBSAtlanta</a> reports. The teacher is now suing the school district because, she claims, she was not informed that she had the right to a hearing before stepping down. The <a href="http://www.nea.org/home/38324.htm" target="_hplink">National Education Association</a> reveals that in other states, several young teachers and school staffers have put their jobs at risk by revealing personal information that parents and supervisors find inappropriate.
Pirates Pierogi Mascot Fired For Dissing Team Managers
Andrew Kurtz, a Pittsburgh Pirate pierogi mascott, was fired after he took to Facebook and voiced his opinion about the team's management. <em><a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/06/19/2010-06-19_pittsburgh_pirate_pierogi_mascot_fired_for_bashing_team_on_facebook_page.html#ixzz0rb6lWNIs" target="_hplink">New York Daily News</a></em> provides the details:
<blockquote>The message was aimed at team president Frank Coonelly, general manager Neal Huntington and manager John Russell and read: "Coonelly extended the contracts of Russell and Huntington through the 2011 season. That means a 19-straight losing streak. Way to go Pirates."</blockquote>
Days later, Pirates communications director Brian Warecki told <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5318009" target="_hplink">ESPN</a> that Kuntz had been rehired because "he had not been dismissed in accordance with company procedures." Warecki also said that "bad publicity played no part in the decision."
Firefighter Posts Derogatory Video
Colleton County paramedic and firefighter Jason Brown was dismissed from his job after posting a video that shows an exchange between two cartoon characters at a hospital. <a href="http://www.firefighternation.com/forum/topics/firefighter-fired-over" target="_hplink">Firefighter Nation</a> reports,
<blockquote>In a letter of dismissal Brown provided, Colleton County Fire-Rescue Director Barry McRoy said, "You [Brown] displayed poor judgment in producing a derogatory video depicting a member of this department with a physician which is implied to be at Colleton Medical Center."</blockquote>
College Athlete Makes Racist Remarks
Oregon wide receiver Jamere Holland slammed his school's athletic program after hearing a linebacker was kicked off the team. Although reports that the teammate had been dismissed were false, Holland was kicked off for the <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-6231034-504083.html" target="_hplink">"racially charged" </a>remarks. "I wish I could block whites as friends and only have blacks LOL, cause apparently I'm misunderstood," he reportedly wrote. (via <a href="http://www.shortnews.com/start.cfm?id=83025" target="_hplink">ShortNews.com</a>)
'The Facebook Six'
Six Australian state corrections workers came under fire for a Facebook group, "Suggestions to help Big RON save a few clams," criticizing their boss and a government plan to privatize several prison facilities. The members of the online group, which numbered in the hundreds, according to Australia's <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/facebook-six-fight-for-right-to-bag-boss-20090917-fsw4.html" target="_hplink"><em>Sydney Morning Herald</em></a>, made posts about wasteful management practices and criticized Corrective Services Commissioner Ron Woodham. "Among the comments posted on the group, members suggested the department could save money by sacking senior officials who they claimed added little value. Other comments also revealed areas of wastage within Corrective Services," the <em>Sydney Morning Herald</em> writes.
When Woodham discovered the group, he suggested that certain members be fired for the "public," "bullying" comments they had made online. Those members, who became known as the Facebook Six, waited in limbo for six months before they <a href="http://www.citmedialaw.org/blog/2009/australias-facebook-five-and-right-whinge-about-your-boss-online" target="_hplink">won their case</a> against the NSW Corrective Services Department.
Woman Blasts Her Boss
One woman's <a href="http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/life/2009-08/18/content_8583507.htm" target="_hplink">(alleged) Facebook post</a> reportedly caught the attention of her boss, who offered a prompt reply--along with a pink slip.
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Huffington Post Catharine Smith and Craig Kanalley First Posted: 07/26/10 11:40 AM ET Updated: 05/25/11 06:10 PM ET