Employees to think twice before posting on social media
It's important to note that social media is a reflection of you as an employee as well...
Social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have allowed people to connect online in ways we never expected.
Social media has helped people find love and friendship, as well as lost family, and has given them a platform to express themselves.
But this expression can sometimes be lawfully infringing.
Since its inception, people have had to be wary of what they post on social media as businesses use social media platforms as a source of information when getting to know a candidate looking for work.
"Legal experts warn that crossing the line with social media posts that violate South Africa’s new hate speech laws gives bosses ample ammunition to gun for employees – so it’s best to think twice before posting." (Business Tech)
Most employees know this from their contracts, but it must be taken more seriously. Speaking out of turn or expressing yourself on social media can be defaming or offensive to others, and according to our country's new hate speech laws, this could have legal ramifications.
“In the context of social media, defamation may include conduct such as publishing inaccurate information—also referred to as 'fake news'—making comments, or even sharing false information about someone or an organisation to portray them in a negative light and cause harm to their reputation and good name.” (Business Tech)
What constitutes defamation? For someone to be accused of libel, there needs to be "a publication of a statement (verbal or written; the defamer must have intended to defame a person; there must be harm and injury; and the publication must violate a person’s right to their good name, reputation and dignity".
Is the statement in question diminishing a person or establishment's identity or name in society? This is something that is considered before declaring defamation.
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