Using the Intertubes at work can be a hazardous and costly thing. First, there's the productivity issue. Clearly, the more you are on the Tubes at work, the less productive you are. That costs the company money. That's not good.
Especially in this economy...
And of course, using Al Gore's invention could bring about viruses and such, but hell, that's what the IT department is for, right?
However, the most hazardous thing may be your own tiny brain and thoughts that run from the top of your head and come out through your fingertips onto the keyboard and appear for the world to see. Frequently, and for some, unfortunately, those synaptical impulses often remove any common sense filter you may have.
Just ask these teachers...
And of course, using Al Gore's invention could bring about viruses and such, but hell, that's what the IT department is for, right?
However, the most hazardous thing may be your own tiny brain and thoughts that run from the top of your head and come out through your fingertips onto the keyboard and appear for the world to see. Frequently, and for some, unfortunately, those synaptical impulses often remove any common sense filter you may have.
Just ask these teachers...
A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools teacher faces firing for posting derogatory comments about students on Facebook, while four others have been disciplined for posts involving "poor judgment and bad taste," spokeswoman Nora Carr said Tuesday.
WCNC, the Observer's news partner, turned up questionable pages on the social networking site by searching for people who identified themselves as CMS employees.
Superintendent Peter Gorman has recommended firing a teacher who listed "teaching chitlins in the ghetto of Charlotte" as one of her activities and drinking as one of her hobbies.
...She would not provide details about the offensive material, but the pages Campbell submitted included photos of female teachers in sexually suggestive poses and a black male teacher who listed "Chillin wit my n---as!!!" as an activity and had a suggestive exchange with a female "Facebook friend" accompanying a shirtless photo of himself.
Of course, there have been other cases of teachers posting information/content deemed inappropriate by some...
- A Colorado English teacher fired for posting her sexually explicit poetry on MySpace.
- A Florida band director fired for a MySpace profile that included "his musings about sex, drugs and depression."
- A Virginia art teacher fired for posting photos of his "butt art," done by painting his private parts and pressing them onto canvas.
All I have to say about that last one is, Duuuude? WTF?
Now I don't want to get into a free speech argument. I'm all for free speech. However, given their profession and the fact that they posted this information on a site that is popular with students, you'd have to say that it wasn't the smartest choice they could have made.
I know, I know...teachers are people, too, despite what my 13 year-old daughter says. They have hobbies, interests, even a life outside of school. But still, people...a little common sense. You have a very high profile job that requires decorum and professionalism. Remember this.
Failing that, try to remember the old adage, "Never put in writing anything that you wouldn't want read in open court or by your mother."
Or school administrators...
