Fair or Foul?

Trey Smith

There is a bit of a controversy brewing at an area retail establishment. One of the employees has not been keeping to their schedule very well. This employee is habitually late to begin their shift and frequently tries to get other employees to finish this person's shift. Why this person still has their job is a bit of a mystery.

One of the other employees -- the one who keeps getting called in on short notice to "cover" for this person -- understandably has grown more and more miffed at the situation. So, he (let's call him, "Jim") stated as much on his Facebook wall. Now, there is a chance that Jim may be fired for airing his grievance on social media.

I know and like both participants in this growing melodrama. I know that the one employee's complaints about the other are right on target. The question I pose to readers is: Should an employee be fired for airing his grievances on Facebook? Jim didn't name any names and he didn't even state where he worked, though I'm sure this is common knowledge in a small town like South Bend.

While I can understand why the store's owner/manager might be a bit embarrassed by the situation -- particularly since he created the situation itself -- it seems to me like a free speech issue.

People gripe about their jobs all the time. Who hasn't been at a bar/party/church gathering/social function with friends or family and not heard someone complain about a problem at work? Social media merely amplifies such grousing. If Jim had bitched about this situation with a bunch of his friends and family in person, why is it so different that he did the same via Facebook?