Can my boss force me to use my personal Facebook to promote the organization I work for?
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Can my boss force me to use my personal Facebook to promote the organization I work for?
I personally feel uncomfortable sharing and reposting the posts from my
organization onto my private Facebook page. Can my boss force me to post and
share?
Asked on July 23, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, New York
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
Most employment is what is know as "at will", which means that it can set the conditions of the workplace much as it sees fit. This includes having workers use their personal social media to promote their employer's business, etc. (absent some form of legally actionable discrimination). Therefore, so long as such a mandate does not violate the conditions of an employment contract or union agreement, it is perfectly permissable. While you can refuse to post as required, you could lose your job. The fact is that as an "at will" worker can be terminated for any reason or no reason at all with or without notice.
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
Yes, your employer can force you to do this. An employer may set essentially any terms and conditions it likes for employment: it can make it a requirement for your job that you use your personal Faceback account (or other social media) to promote your organization. If you do not do this, you could be terminated "for cause"--for violating your employer's instructions--which means you would not be eligible for unemployment benefits.
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