Social Media And Protected Beliefs At Work

The Belfast Industrial Tribunal in Northern Ireland has recently rejected two claims of unfair dismissal following sectarian (anti-Catholic) chants posted on social media. We look at the implications of clashing views on social media and the practical steps that employers can take to address these issues.

In this digital age, the workplace has evolved into a place where professional and personal lives often intersect, which has been accelerated by the wide-spread use of multiple social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok and snapchat. While social media can be a valuable business tool for communication, knowledge sharing and employee engagement, it can also be a headache for employers, with misuse creating risks such as reputational damage, data breaches, security concerns and employment litigation.