Despite wanting to keep tight control over their brand image, my inclination is to believe that Apple is going too far when it begins limiting what its employees can and can’t do within their own private social networks. Revealing confidential information would be one thing, but to fire someone for simply badmouthing their employer on Facebook crosses the line.
According to the report, the Apple employee, called Crisp, posted a critical passage about Apple on his private Facebook page, only to be dismissed from the company for “gross misconduct.” The employee later filed a complaint with the UK Labor Agency.
According to lawyers for Apple, the company makes it clear when hiring new employees that any commentary on Apple products, or critical remarks about the brand, are prohibited, as they can be “particularly damaging for Apple as image is so central to its success.”
The argument goes on to claim that Apple is justified in limiting its employee’s rights in this way to protect its reputation. Despite the fact that Apple claims to warn its employees about this in advance, is prohibiting an employee from making negative comments about their employer on their private social networks really acceptable?