Facing the Facts

[+ purplekow]

A woman who used to work for me has asked me to write a letter of recommendation for her. I have done so in the past and it was a good but not great evaluation. However, new information has come to my attention

 

About a year ago, we became "Friends" on Facebook and her postings there, mostly of a political nature, are disturbing to me. She has strongly supported many of Donald Trump's anti-Moslem tenets, and in a way which is more radical and distressing. She is quite good at her job, but the beliefs she publicly spews on Facebook, have made me consider not writing a recommendation. I feel that she has shown a lack of judgment in posting what some might consider vile bigotry. I had never heard her espouse this during work hours and if I had, I would not have tolerated it in a workplace.

So, should I separate the good employee I know personally from the hate spouting bigot I am considering "unfriending" on Facebook? Should I write a professional evaluation or should I be influenced in deciding to write or not, by this information which is new to me?

[Kevin Slater]

I am pleased to say that Shelia is a former employee of mine. I cannot say enough good things about her or recommend her too highly. Since having her in my employ, I’ve come to find out she has a wealth of ideas and solutions unparalleled in the common workplace. You sure don’t see conviction like hers often. I would urge you to waste no time in making her an offer of employment.

 

Sincerely,

Mr. Kow

Kevin Slater

[whipped guy]

I would base the recommendation solely on her work performance. What her political thoughts and postings are (and especially since she never expressed them at work) should be of no importance. This is the U S of A and we are all entitled to our opinions and preferences. This would especially be true since what she has posted is in no way job related.

 

To put it another way, I doubt that you have ever mentioned your postings in this forum at work. (I certainly never did when I was working in a very similar profession as yours!!! ) If she knew about your activities and the shoe were on the other foot (even though you never mentioned your "hobby" in the course of your professional activities... ever... and it would be none of her business anyway) how would that make you feel!!!!??? Would that make you a less valuable employee?

 

So I think @Kevin Slater is right on the mark.

 

PS: One reason I don't do Facebook!

[Brian Kevin]

That's the thing about Facebook.

 

It breaks relationships, friendships and families apart if not utilized properly.

 

My grandma Rose always told me as a kid "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!"

[jjkrkwood]

That's the thing about Facebook.

 

It breaks relationships, friendships and families apart if not utilized properly.

 

My grandma Rose always told me as a kid "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!"[/QUOTE]

 

 

My granny Yetta used to say "if you don't have anything Nice to say, you are my kinda person" !

[+ BOZO T CLOWN]

She sounds like an excellent employee with impeccable judgment...

 

Bozo

[Brian Kevin]

My granny Yetta used to say "if you don't have anything Nice to say, you are my kinda person" !

 

i would expect nothing less from you my friend :*

[jjkrkwood]

Hmmmm, I'm on the fence with that comment.... It kinda screamed "SHADY" lololol

 

http://image.shutterstock.com/z/stock-photo-a-cartoon-man-sitting-on-a-fence-97418357.jpg

[Brian Kevin]

Hmmmm, I'm on the fence with that comment.... It kinda screamed "SHADY" lololol

 

http://image.shutterstock.com/z/stock-photo-a-cartoon-man-sitting-on-a-fence-97418357.jpg

 

I couldn't help myself. I give you permission to stone me .

[actor61]

Here's why I don't do Facebook. I worked in a very busy office with a very broad mix of ethnicities and religious beliefs. We all seemed to get along well and were respectful and pleasant to each other, avoiding the topics of religion and politics during work hours by mutual agreement. One lady with whom I worked and with whom I always had fun conversations was moving to another department and asked me if her future supervisor could call me for an informal recommendation and I agreed enthusiastically. A few days later, the supervisor called, and I told her how much I liked "A", how efficient she was at her job, how easy she was to work with, and how I'd miss her company. I subsequently saw a posting of hers on Facebook that read, "The white queer recommended me. I won't be sorry to say goodbye to his skinny ass."

 

I was hurt, angry, baffled and shocked. I canceled my Facebook account, have never used it since and don't think I'm missing out on anything as a result. She was very overweight and I got revenge of sorts a couple of days before she moved on. One morning, she stood next to my desk with a chocolate donut in her hand and a coffee drink with a mound of whipped cream on top and sighed, "I just don't understand why I can't lose weight." And I replied, "Well, bitch, maybe if you put down the donut, eliminated the whipped cream, took the stairs and shut your mouth, you'd lose a few ounces. But I don't think there's much hope. I sure won't miss your ass either." In that moment, she realized I had seen her post and I could see about a million different emotions cross her face. I walked away.

 

And that was that.

[marylander1940]

A woman who used to work for me has asked me to write a letter of recommendation for her. I have done so in the past and it was a good but not great evaluation. However, new information has come to my attention

 

About a year ago, we became "Friends" on Facebook and her postings there, mostly of a political nature, are disturbing to me. She has strongly supported many of Donald Trump's anti-Moslem tenets, and in a way which is more radical and distressing. She is quite good at her job, but the beliefs she publicly spews on Facebook, have made me consider not writing a recommendation. I feel that she has shown a lack in judgment in posting what some might consider vile bigotry. I had never heard her espouse this during work hours and if I had, I would not have tolerated it in a workplace.

So, should I separate the good employee I know personally from the hate spouting bigot I am considering "unfriending" on Facebook? Should I write a professional evaluation or should I be influenced in deciding to write or not, by this information which is new to me?

 

Have you talked to her about it? Sooner or later her strong believes might put her job at risk, maybe she needs to be told by a "friend" to stop talking and keep to herself what she thinks of other folks.

 

Answering your question: write her a good letter. What she thinks before 9 AM and after 5 PM as long as it doesn't affect her work is up to her.

[+ sync]

PK, I'm not inclined to be as non-judgemental as others. Conflicting political/social views are not uncommon and can generate constructive exchanges, but your posting suggests that hers have the intensity/potential of a ticking time-bomb. I do not envy your dilemma.

[Kenny]

I feel that she has shown a lack in judgment in posting what some might consider vile bigotry.

She's entitled to her beliefs, bigoted though they are. But displaying not merely bad but horrendous judgment (by spewing the hate in public on Facebook) is a very good reason not to write a letter of recommendation.

[mattr]

Write a professional recommendation based on your knowledge of her work. Since, as far as you know, her personal beliefs have never impacted her conduct at work, what she does outside of work is none of your concern as her employer. I do agree with the poster that said you should speak to her as a friend about the impact her facebook postings could have on future employment. Regardless of your recommendation, a future employer will likely at least scan her social media postings and she might have already jeopardized future employment.

[Kenny]

I do agree with the poster that said you should speak to her as a friend about the impact her facebook postings could have on future employment.

Good advice. Which could be delivered in explaining why a recommendation is not forthcoming. After all, if an employer reads your recommendation and then finds her Facebook spew, it will reflect badly on you.

[mattr]

Good advice. Which could be delivered in explaining why a recommendation is not forthcoming. After all, if an employer reads your recommendation and then finds her Facebook spew, it will reflect badly on you.

 

Not at all. A properly worded professional recommendation is just that, a professional recommendation. Not accurately portraying her professional conduct would be unfair and a disservice to a former loyal employee. The reader of the recommendation would not have any definitive knowledge that the writer knows of her personal views.

[BgMstr4u]

I imagine that checking public social media postings is becoming part of due diligence in hiring, if it isn't already. If I were considering hiring her and found such a huge discrepancy between the recommendation and her posting, I would run away from her so fast! What people have already done is always the best indication of what they will do.

[+ Funguy]

Social media accounts are already being checked for applicants to medical school. i know of 3 students who made up fake names/accounts for Facebook when asked on applications.

[Boink]

If you simply didn't write any evaluation, would she even know it? Does her whole future employment hang on your word?

[BgMstr4u]

An interesting question, Boink. Over the years I have placed less and less reliance on written recommendations, as the constraints on candor have become more and more burdensome. At this point, in fact, many recommendations I see simply give the dates of employment and a description of the job held and precious little else.

[+ deej]

An interesting question, Boink. Over the years I have placed less and less reliance on written recommendations, as the constraints on candor have become more and more burdensome. At this point, in fact, many recommendations I see simply give the dates of employment and a description of the job held and precious little else.

 

Giving dates and job description is more or less standard HR policy at most companies these days. People are afraid of getting sued.

[bigvalboy]

Giving dates and job description is more or less standard HR policy at most companies these days. People are afraid of getting sued.

 

This exactly...

Our company was allowed to give dates of employment and job title, and nothing more. Giving personal recommendations might come from individuals but not from the company as an official statement.

[Okliehomo]

My grandma Clairee used to say, "If you haven't got anything nice to say, come sit next to me..." Or was that me?

 

Not a big Facebook fan, either and I don't friend anyone from work (or escorts, either). I'm never on it because nobody ever says anything remotely interesting. Very PC. Most of my friends know to stay away from political topics with me.

[LivingnLA]

Official work recommendations are legal issues, so most company polices are quite strict about what can and cannot be said. Often, it boils down to the bare minimum factually, such as what @deej and @bigvalboy state above.

 

Regarding the homophobic bigot who posted her hate to Facebook after her gay coworker recommended her, in a growing number of large companies, that would be a fireable offense as hate speech. Yes, she's entitled to her bigoted opinion, but public spaces like Facebook reflect on her employer and they would not want to be associated with a public bigot. At a minimum, her post should've been reported to HR so they could discuss social media policies with her.

 

But, it depends on the company too. If y'all worked at a homophobic place like Hobby Lobby or Chikfila, then I doubt HR would've cared.

[Boink]

One lady with whom I worked and with whom I always had fun conversations was moving to another department and asked me if her future supervisor could call me for an informal recommendation and I agreed enthusiastically. A few days later, the supervisor called, and I told her how much I liked "A", how efficient she was at her job, how easy she was to work with, and how I'd miss her company. I subsequently saw a posting of hers on Facebook that read, "The white queer recommended me. I won't be sorry to say goodbye to his skinny ass."

 

And that was that.

 

My main take away from this incident is that the woman must be extremely stupid to assume that you would never see that posting. But as with everything else in this day and age, narcissism overrides all else. She simply HAD to make that thought known. HAD to!

 

My question - known to who? and WHY?? From the outset, I never understood the appeal of Facebook. I simultaneously feel stupid for not 'getting it', and proud to have never succumbed to it's 'appeal'. As Betty White said, the more I know about it, it sounds like a complete waste of time. Back in the day, as I witnessed on many a 60s sitcom, only teenage girls kept diaries and they were mortified when the contents inevitably became known. Nowadays, everyone has to publicize every thought at all costs. What is that???

 

And yet - here I am doing it on a posting here!