Could I be disciplined for a FB post unrelated to work?

lmnb

Last Friday (19th), I received some upsetting news from two people I loved.

My mind was messed up from the news and I posted a generic post about kids should not play football where there are no ball games allowed signs on the town's Spotted page on Facebook. Spotted pages, for those that don't know are pages that you can post anonymously, providing you start with 'Anon' The post was not targeting anyone or anywhere This post is totally unrelated to work.

When the post got published, a few nasty women that live near me commented on this with nasty replies. I wasn't expecting that kind of response. So I unliked the group and blocked the women.

The following day, I was at work in the DIY/Gardening/soft furnishings shop. I was changing the promotional banners to the side of the shop. One of the women, turned up from nowhere shouting threatening things at me about this FB post. What she said was lies. All I said was excuse me, I'm working.

She made me shaking and crying. She has shouted at me whilst I was serving other customers at least twice over 2 years, again with false stuff. Plus I have seen her behaving very similar to this in other shops when I have been the customer. Managers have been thin on the ground as one is on holiday and another one is helping out a newly opened shop in the next town. I told one of the managers as soon as it happened but I said I didn't send the FB post - I was in shock and my words get muddled due to my dyslexia if I'm under great stress, worry or upset.

Things died down for a couple of days. Then I heard from the security guard, that she and her friend (one that made the nasty comments too) were seeing the shop manager on Thursday. I finished work on Wednesday (24th) and not back until 5th July as on annual leave, booked back in Feb. I have no idea why they want to see him. Unfortunately, there wasn't a CCTV camera pointing at the area the confrontation . Unless they have a pack of lies to tell him to make myself in the bad books. The FB post was unrelated to work and not pointing at anyone. Some women got this at the wrong end of the stick and blown this out of proportion. A couple of colleagues thought these women would shoot themselves in the foot as they just shout, yell and swear - as I can hear them from my home and they live 5-10 doors away. We have banned customers that do this to staff in the past.

Now I am worried about going back to work as I have heard nothing from work, any colleagues that are working or visited the shop since Wednesday.

I checked the employer's social media policy does discipline colleagues that use any SM website to harm them, disagree any policies, reveal sensitive information, slag them off etc. Nothing about non related stuff, The post contains nothing employer related.

What do you think my employer would do? See through the women's lies, tell them the FB post has nothing to do with the shop and the women? Or await my return to be sent straight to the office to be questioned or is forgotten about?

These women have got nothing better to do as they are benefit claiming mothers that don't work. I have reported these women to the housing association about their behaviour.

I have stayed clear of these women.

custardy

The way you describe this FB post would not make it fall under the discipline policy IMO.
I say this as someone who has been involved in the investigation and dismissal of 2 staff members in the last year.

Takeaway_Addict

lmnb wrote: »

Last Friday (19th), I received some upsetting news from two people I loved.

My mind was messed up from the news and I posted a generic post about kids should not play football where there are no ball games allowed signs on the town's Spotted page on Facebook. Spotted pages, for those that don't know are pages that you can post anonymously, providing you start with 'Anon' The post was not targeting anyone or anywhere This post is totally unrelated to work.

When the post got published, a few nasty women that live near me commented on this with nasty replies. I wasn't expecting that kind of response. So I unliked the group and blocked the women.

The following day, I was at work in the DIY/Gardening/soft furnishings shop. I was changing the promotional banners to the side of the shop. One of the women, turned up from nowhere shouting threatening things at me about this FB post. What she said was lies. All I said was excuse me, I'm working.

She made me shaking and crying. She has shouted at me whilst I was serving other customers at least twice over 2 years, again with false stuff. Plus I have seen her behaving very similar to this in other shops when I have been the customer. Managers have been thin on the ground as one is on holiday and another one is helping out a newly opened shop in the next town. I told one of the managers as soon as it happened but I said I didn't send the FB post - I was in shock and my words get muddled due to my dyslexia if I'm under great stress, worry or upset.
Don't use this excuse, you panicked and said the wrong thing...
Things died down for a couple of days. Then I heard from the security guard, that she and her friend (one that made the nasty comments too) were seeing the shop manager on Thursday. I finished work on Wednesday (24th) and not back until 5th July as on annual leave, booked back in Feb. I have no idea why they want to see him. Unfortunately, there wasn't a CCTV camera pointing at the area the confrontation . Unless they have a pack of lies to tell him to make myself in the bad books. The FB post was unrelated to work and not pointing at anyone. Some women got this at the wrong end of the stick and blown this out of proportion. A couple of colleagues thought these women would shoot themselves in the foot as they just shout, yell and swear - as I can hear them from my home and they live 5-10 doors away. We have banned customers that do this to staff in the past.

Now I am worried about going back to work as I have heard nothing from work, any colleagues that are working or visited the shop since Wednesday.

I checked the employer's social media policy does discipline colleagues that use any SM website to harm them, disagree any policies, reveal sensitive information, slag them off etc. Nothing about non related stuff, The post contains nothing employer related.

What do you think my employer would do? See through the women's lies, tell them the FB post has nothing to do with the shop and the women? Or await my return to be sent straight to the office to be questioned or is forgotten about?

These women have got nothing better to do as they are benefit claiming mothers that don't work. I have reported these women to the housing association about their behaviour.

I have stayed clear of these women.

Inadvertently you have brought the company into disrepute, if the employer decides to bring action against you it will be down to this.

However, no one knows if your employer will or not, if anything you will have the best idea on how they act and then you will make your case if they do.

I would suggest whilst its fresh in your mind you write a timeline of what happens exactly (without emotive language or abusing the other women).

As hard as it will be, relax, enjoy your holiday and deal with it after.

Alter_ego

I don't mean this unkindly but your post does not seem as though you are Dyslexic. Perhaps I am misunderstanding.

Takeaway_Addict

custardy wrote: »

The way you describe this FB post would not make it fall under the discipline policy IMO.
I say this as someone who has been involved in the investigation and dismissal of 2 staff members in the last year.

It could be investigated under general disrepute, the fact that the posting brought women into the store causing issues is enough.

custardy

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

It could be investigated under general disrepute, the fact that the posting brought women into the store causing issues is enough.

Maybe so. However nothing in the post or its intention (by the OPs description) would be (IMO) likely to draw anything work related.
Had this statement been made in a park, and the women came to the workplace.
How would you view it?

Takeaway_Addict

custardy wrote: »

Maybe so. However nothing in the post or its intention (by the OPs description) would be (IMO) likely to draw anything work related.
Had this statement been made in a park, and the women came to the workplace.
How would you view it?

The same, prob worth asking the question but I wouldn't personally take it any further, it doesn't mean the OP's employers won't.

agrinnall

From what you've said my personal view would be that this isn't an issue impacting your employer, but as others have pointed out they may take a different view. However, if they do I think you could have a decent argument against any action being take. But it seems like you may not be the strongest at defending yourself, so this would be a very good time to have the support of a union, are you in one? If not then it may be too late, but it might be worth consulting an appropriate union to find out if they will let you join and will represent you.

TUC union finder

tomtontom

Is this an ongoing issue with your neighbours [STRIKE]Scarlet[/STRIKE] lmnb?

lmnb

As a new user, I cannot quote yet.

I have no idea on how my employer will act with me about this. This is why I posted this.

Each dyslexic has different issues. Mine are emotions and motor as I cannot ride a bike. Another friend has difficulties with 9 and 6 and p and d.

The two women that reported to see my manager on Thursday. As I have no idea why they needed to see him as the only work thing with this is one of them using threatening language at me when I was working. The FB post was not directed at them or any particular person or people. They have made a mountain of a molehill. I wouldn't be in the worried state if they did nothing. I cannot tell if they have seen him or not.

Shall I ring ACAS for their advice? I think they know what my employer is likely to do.

lmnb

tomtontom wrote: »

Is this an ongoing issue with your neighbours [STRIKE]Scarlet[/STRIKE] lmnb?

I am new to the website and forum. Please respect newbies