Professional contractors urged to comment with caution online

Date: May 25, 2010

Category: Employment Law, Taxation and Legislation for Contractors

Freelance contractors have been urged to comment with caution on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Almost 40 per cent admitted to criticising their workplace through such websites, according to a survey by MyJobGroup.co.uk, although not all of them would change what they had written if they knew their employer was reading it.

Despite many using the internet as an outlet for their work-based frustrations, more than half (53 per cent) believe fellow staff should face disciplinary action for their criticisms.

"Open Facebook accounts and tweets are effectively online publishing channels and each has the potential to damage companies' and individuals' reputations, so staff should be careful of off-the-cuff criticism, no matter how funny it may seem at the time," commented Lee Fayer, managing director of the website.

Freelance contractors and other employees who publish criticisms online could face the same legal consequences as if they had printed them, he added.

Those looking for work should also be careful in their use of social networking sites, as potential employers could use them in the recruitment process.

Posted by Daniel Frost