Feds settle case of woman fired over Facebook site

Associated Press ^ | February 07, 2011 | SAM HANANEL

[Newtoidaho]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Employers should think twice before trying to restrict workers from talking about their jobs on Facebook or other social media.

That's the message the government sent on Monday as it settled a closely watched lawsuit against a Connecticut ambulance company that fired an employee after she went on Facebook to criticize her boss.

The National Labor Relations Board sued the company last year, arguing the worker's negative comments were protected speech under federal labor laws. The company claimed it fired the emergency medical technician because of complaints about her work.

Under the settlement with the labor board, American Medical Response of Connecticut Inc. agreed to change its blogging and Internet policy that barred workers from disparaging the company or its supervisors. The company also will revise another policy that prohibited employees from depicting the company in any way over the Internet without permission.

[Newtoidaho]

So much for the goobermint getting out of the face of business..

[GeronL]

arguing the worker's negative comments were protected speech under federal labor laws

Protected from..... GOVERNMENT is what the First Amendment was supposed to be about. Not protected from the consequences of our own stupidity!

[NailInACoffin]

I’ve always been wary of the privacy issues with Facebook (or any social media site). I prefer to hang out face to face with the people I care about, rather than online. I don’t want my boss looking at my conversations with my friends. That’s some self-imposed Big Brother if we don’t have private conversations in private.

[microgood]

"I think it certainly sends a message about what the NLRB views the law to be," said Jonathan Kreisberg, the NLRB regional director in Hartford who approved the settlement.

Wow, what an accomplishment. I doubt very many people will get the message this insignificant moron is trying to send.

We need a president to come in and fire everyone the first day in office and then never rehire anyone.