Think before you post: When can online words hurt you IRL?

We all live dual lives now. There’s the “you” that your boss and coworkers see, and then there’s the “you” that exists online – posting, commenting and sharing with friends and family. You want to express yourself online without fearing repercussions at work, but that isn’t always possible.

Knowing when your online presence can harm your very real professional life is crucial for every employee to understand.

Legal protections for British Columbia workers

Both provincial and federal laws protect employees from unfair termination. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees freedom of expression, but this right is not absolute, especially in the workplace. Employers can discipline or even fire employees for online behavior if it harms the company’s reputation or breaches its policies.

However, the British Columbia Employment Standards Act and the Canada Labour Code require just cause for termination (unless the employer provides notice or pay in place of notice). This means employers must prove that an employee’s online activities severely impact their work or the workplace environment.

For instance, employees may face disciplinary action if they post something that discriminates against a protected group.

Keeping work and online life separate

Taking practical steps to separate your professional and online identities is your best protection. Consider the following:

• Check your company’s social media policy. Many BC employers have specific guidelines about online behavior. Follow these rules carefully.
• Use privacy settings on all your accounts. Limit who can see your personal posts and consider using different names or handles for personal accounts.
• Think critically before posting anything controversial. Ask yourself: “Would I be comfortable with my boss seeing this?” When in doubt, don’t post.

Creating this separation helps prevent problems before they start. Many employment disputes happen because people forget that online words can have real-world consequences.

As an employee, it is crucial to know how your online behavior might affect your job security. Knowing the laws in place and what you can do to keep online and offline lives separate can help you protect yourself and make wise decisions going forward.