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24 Mar 2010
A British teenager has been fired by her employer in a posting on her open Facebook wall, in a move that may result in legal action.
Chelsea Taylor, who worked at Cookies in Leigh, Greater Manchester, lost £10 while out buying biscuits for the shop and offered to repay the money.
But the manageress of the shop, Elaine Sutton, chose to tell the teenager that she no longer had a job using a misspelled posting on her public Facebook wall.
"Hiya Chelsea its Elaine from work. Sorry to send u a message like this but bin tryin to ring u but gettin no joy," it stated, according to the Daily Mail.
"I had to tell the owner bout u losin that tenner coz obviously the till was down at the end of day. she wasn't very pleased at all and despite me trying to persuade her otherwise she said I have to let u go. I'm really sorry."
The case is believed to be the first time that someone has been sacked using a posting on Facebook, despite unconfirmed reports suggesting otherwise.
"What sort of message does firing someone over Facebook send out to young people who are hoping to find work?" said Taylor's mother.
"She was mortified when she realised she had lost the money, but accidents happen. I told her to be honest and just explain to the manager what had happened. I offered to replace the money but the manager reassured us that it was all fine."
The owners of the shop may now face a legal action as the girl's family is reportedly considering taking the case to court.
A member of staff at Cookies, also known as the Lancashire Tea Room, said: " We don't want to talk about this."
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Do you agree?
The inns and outs
As i understand it from a legal point of view.. If a person is sacked because they are " slagging" someone off who is there boss or so on in company, then said person is there friend on facebook, you given that person the right to see your personal information. Although his choice of words are poor not a leg to stand on. Although ? If Person is not a friend on facebook, and you have your privacy settings on highest, meaning no-one other then your accepted friends can view your information. Loop Hole... Boss gets information ever through word of mouth, or better ! someone prints of the comments. Hands it into your boss then your sacked like this. Three Words that will save job, Data Protection Act. For a Company, to take and us your information in such a way is very much illegal. Which makes any information obtains in such a way is admissible, i.e they can't use it. The main word in case like this is, prove.. what can they prove. But more importantly what can they "legally prove". My Clearest and most useful advice in this situation would be, Delete the comment, Regardless who has wrote on it. At disciplinary, ask to be show a paper copy of allegedly comments. If they can't produce one, Sorted no evidence, if they do. Ask Whether they are a ware that you have privacy setting on highest meaning information on facebook is cover by Data Protection Act. That by obtaining it, and printing it off they have broken the law, and as such can not be used against you. Hope that was useful
Posted by: Luke 11 Jul 2010
Manageress - more like toilet cleaner
On thinking about it I don't think I'd even employ the "manageress" to clean the toilets. My view on social sites is that they should be called anti-social sites. Stay away from them Chelsea, and good luck for the future. Don't let anyone walk over you.
Posted by: Ed in Spain 27 Mar 2010
Astounded
This absolutely beggars belief. I don't where to begin as to levels of unproffesionalism, lazyness don't even get me started on the privacy issues of posting to a public area this sort of information, never mind the unproven accusation of theft. If this company is not hauled over the coals and spat out the other end I will eat my own hat. Good luck on the legal action.
Posted by: Mark Hechle 26 Mar 2010
Fired by Facebook
We dont want to talk about it. Guess they will have to talk about it wont they, who would want to work for a spineless bunch like that anyway, hopefully customers will leave in droves. Good luck girl, fight them, you have best wishes from me in australia.
Posted by: peter cooper 25 Mar 2010
legal action?
legal action for what? psh
Posted by: a 25 Mar 2010
??
Are you sure they didn't say "We dont wan talk bout it."
Posted by: ben phillips 25 Mar 2010