Can my employer make me unfriend fellow employees on facebook?

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Can my employer make me unfriend fellow employees on facebook?

I employer wrote me a ” formal counseling statement” saying I had to immediately unfriendly other employed at my place of work or I may be terminated. I am the only one this has happened to.

Asked on June 7, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Oklahoma

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

Yes, an employeer may make you do this. Employers may set terms and conditions of employment: such terms and conditions have always included the ability to ask employees to not "fraternize," or be socially or romantically involved. The modern equivalent would be requiring them to not be Facebook (or other social media) friends. It doesn't matter if you are the only one this is happening to: the law does not require employers to treat employees consistently or fairly. You could be terminated or suffer other adverse employment consequence if you do not do this, unless you have an employment contract which protects or guarantees your employment in some way.


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