Facebook account belonging to a tax lawyer is hijacked and used for scam. Tax Girl's account was hacked and messages were sent out saying she had been robbed in London and needed money. Tax Girl (aka Kelly Erb) has a wonderful blog on tax law. Now, her FB account is suspended until the damage can be repaired. Be careful out there in cyber space.....
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Five members of a jury "friend" each other during a jury trial. In another trial, one involving murder, jury members look up key scientific terms on Wikipedia during deliberations. The jury looked up terms helping them understand how blood settles, an important issue in the murder trial. Court personnel found the results of the research after the trial was complete. Of course, a jury is supposed to only consider the facts and information presented during trial. They are not supposed to do their own research. Both instances occurred in Maryland. That state is now considering adding jury instructions to specifically prohibit online research by jury members.
In the Facebook incident, five jury members formed a clique, allegedly upsetting the jury dynamics. That is a problem since most jury instructions tell the jury they cannot discuss the case until both sides have rested and concluded their presentation of evidence. One of the five apparently heard suggestions on how the trial should turn out from an outside observer. One of the parties to the trial is seeking a new trial. So, yes, forming a clique too early would be a problem. See ABA Bar Journal for more info.
So, you're diagnosed with depression. It will not get better. You are unemployed for a year and a half. Your problems mount. You live in Canada, so you see see gray skies everyday. Then, your doctor tells you to get away to some sunny climate for a brief time. You take a trip, take some photos and then you post them on Facebook. Oh oh. An insurance company is paying you what are described as sick leave payments. The insurance company sees those pictures and concludes your depression is over and cuts off your benefits. That is what happened to one former IBM employee according to Delaware Employment Law Blog.
The former employee says she is happy in the moment but that before and after she continues to suffer from Depression. Her lawyer has asked for a new psychiatric evaluation. Good idea......
If you add your boss to your Facebook page, be sure to remember that when you start complaining about your job. Workplace professors describe a British worker who apparently forgot she had added her boss. She described him later as a "pervvy wanker" and said other unflattering things about him and her job. The boss was not amused.....
The City of Bozeman, Montana will no longer require Facebook passwords as part of its application process, as reported in Delaware Employment Law blog. That was a risky decision. How many applicants would pass up this relatively large employer (in that neck of the woods) if they have to reveal too much. Too, the city is a government entity. Requiring a Facebook password would present privacy issues the city need not face.
But, take this as a warning - there may be more employers out there considering such a measure. The best protection for any employee is to simply be careful about what you put on Facebook, Myspace, etc.
Hard to believe, but a judge '"friended" a lawyer on Facebook. The lawyer was appearing before the judge in a case. The judge in North Carolina would respond to comments from the lawyer about the case. See story as reported by Delaware Employment Law Blog. Yea, I would call that "ex parte" communication with a party to a lawsuit. Which, BTW, is pretty much unethical.....
At some point, the lawyer even responded to one of the judge's responses as "wise judge." Sheesh.....
Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, they are all the rage. These websites present amazing opportunities to network and stay in touch. A friend of mine has family all across the US. They stay in touch with Facebook. But, for all the possibilities, these websites also present risk. Chris McKinney explains the risks in his true story of someone who lost a job because of Twitter fun. But, Michael Maslanka explains how social networking websites are the future and discusses how one company actually allows an hour a week for "facebook" time.
I kid my son about spending too much time on facebook. I tell him he does more "work" on Facebook than homework. Not true, of course, but you see my point. Shoot, I have my own Facebook page. It really is a great way to stay in touch or re-connect with old friends. But, like all concerned employment lawyers, I have to warn you all that there are indeed risks.....
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