Eagles Employee Gets Benched for Comment on Facebook Page
Posted by Molly DiBianca On March 11, 2009 In: Social Media in the Workplace
Facebook strikes again. The potential dangers of impulsive Facebook posting made headlines in Philly this week. The story goes like this:
Dan Leone, life-long resident of South Philly and die-hard Eagles fan, was hired for what he describes as his dream job as a game-day employee at the Linc. Leone was one happy football fan. Until, that is, his beloved team traded Brian Dawkins to the Broncos. 
Dawkins was equally beloved by the citizens of the City of Brotherly Love. After spending 13 of his 13 pro years with the Eagles and, during that time, developed an adoring fan crowd. When the Eagles traded Dawkins, who is known for his openly emotional style, Philly fans were not enthused.
And Leone was not happy at all. You know, Philadelphia residents are known for their passion for sports. So, like any self-respecting 32-year-old Philadelphian would do, Leone expressed his heartache by posting on his Facebook profile. Little did Leone know that his heartache had just begun.
Eagles management found out about the posting and they weren't happy either. They terminated Leone over the phone. Leone is heartbroken. And, as reported by the Ohio Employment Law Blog, the public is behind him. The Philadelphia Inquirer is behind him.
The question is the same--can and should employers consider employees' off-duty conduct, specifically their Facebook postings, when making major employment decisions?
Facebook Makes Friends With the Ladies
What Employers Should Not Do In A Social Marketing Recruiting Campaign
Discoverability of Facebook Profiles
More Good Advice on Best Practices for Use of Social Networks for Employers
Free Podcast: Employers' Use of Facebook, MySpace, and Other Social Networking Sites
The Number of Adults Who Use Online Social Networking Sites Is Skyrocketing
Employers Use MySpace for Hiring and, Now, Defending Discrimination Claims
