Publicly criticizing your employer – Is it considered misconduct?
Nothing is more public than expressing your work frustrations and criticizing your employer on social media sites and the internet. This is not the smartest idea considering the workplace consequences and the potential damage to your career.
As Daniel Lublin, Toronto Employer Lawyer explains in his latest Globe and Mail article, “An employee’s public comments about his employer can be considered misconduct where those statements are harmful to the employer’s interests or damaging to its business. One reason is that employers can be exposed to liability because of statements made by their employees”.
Employees can speak their mind privately or publicly as long as their comments don’t negatively affect their employer’s business. It is always wise to consider how the employer will feel about the statement, the consequences and whether voicing your opinion is worth the trouble it may cause you.
To find out more on the topic from a legal perspective, read Daniel Lublin’s article in the Globe and Mail, Speaking your mind can hurt your career.