“Think before you Act” is one of the oldest sayings we probably heard from our parents. This is even more true today when things are getting around so fast and speedy on the online world.
By Jerry Wong, Assistant Manager, SGH Communications
Everyone has heard stories of people who have been fired because of their social media screw-ups. Until you find yourself in the hot seat, it is easy to forget that your actions online may come back to haunt you. In this era, your social media profile is an extension of yourself.
“Think before you Act” is one of the oldest sayings we probably heard from our parents. This is even more true today when things are getting around so fast and speedy on the online world.
1. Posting disrespectful remarks
Image taken from STOMP
Verdict: Lambasted online
Miss Universe Singapore 2013 finalist Jesslyn Tan mocked the attire of a man when she uploaded a picture onto her Facebook page. She was lambasted online and even MP Indranee Rajah came out to defend the hawker assistant.
2. Making racist remarks
Verdict: Fired
Most of us will still remember this case of Miss Amy Cheong from NTUC. Posting on social media is like looking at yourself in front of the mirror. If you post happy stuff like your baby or travel photos, you will get ‘likes’. However if you make an offensive remark, all you get is an angry face looking at you.
3. Complain about your job
Image from STOMP
Verdict: Warning Letter
When you are stressed and need an avenue to vent your anger. Your social media page is not the right place. Do not be that toxic employee that complains about your job, colleagues or boss.
4. Meddle with touchy issues
Verdict: Fired
TTSH Nurse Mr Ello Ed Mundsel Bello wrote the offensive comment which went viral. Furious petitions for his job termination intensified on social media, leading to his eventual loss of job. Refrain from sharing negative comments or any other sensitive remarks against any person, brand or society.
5. Divulge patient information
Verdict: Warning Letter
As we are working in a healthcare setting, the most important information that we have to safeguard is patient information. Sometimes even innocent updates may inadvertently reveal information about our patients and their caregivers.
Lastly, I would like to share what our Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong once said - “We need rules in cyberspace… in human conduct and interaction, you must have some basis - what is out of bounds, what we will comply with, what is acceptable, and what is not.”
Jerry specialises in Digital Marketing and has been managing SGH online presence for the past 7 years. Under his management, the SGH Corporate website won “Standard of Excellence” in the WebAwards in 2013 and the FAQs Bank project won 3rd Prize in the Communications Category in Singapore Healthcare Management Congress 2014.
He is actually suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder for everything 'likes', 'shares' and 'retweets'.
