How a simple like can lead to termination on the net!

How a simple like can lead to termination on the net!

In the digital age, in which social media take a large part of our lives, the question arises whether interactions such as likes can actually result in professional consequences on platforms such as Facebook or Instagram. Despite the often assumed anonymity on the Internet, the effects of online expressions are quite real and can continue to be enough than many people think.

Some users believe that they could move undisputed on the Internet and make comments that they would never express in everyday life. But every like that is distributed could become problematic under certain circumstances. This raises the important question: Can a simple like be used as a reason for termination? The answer is not clear and depends heavily on the individual case.

How likes are perceived

There are different opinions about how likes are evaluated on social media. Arnd Diringer, head of the research center for labor law at the Ludwigsburg University of Applied Sciences, analyzes typical views of various dishes. Some lawyers see a kind of approval in a like that could be interpreted as a "cheap gift of opinion". However, Diringer differentiates between different types of likes:

• Warvestungslikes: Such likes serve to signal acquaintances that you have seen your contribution.
• politeness-likes: Sometimes a like is awarded to end or comment on non-targeted discussions.

It is even possible that a like will be accidentally set while scrolling through the feed. Diringer is of the opinion that a single like should not necessarily have legal consequences, unless there is also a comment that clearly clarifies the intention.

The question remains when a like could actually be considered a reason for termination. Attorney Jens Usebach explains that there are various criteria that can play a role here.

factors for a possible reason for termination

• relevance of the likes: When content is liked that are racist, sexist or discriminatory in nature, this not only harms the personal call, but also to the image of the company. Such behavior is visible to colleagues, superiors and customers.
• corporate guidelines: Most companies have clear guidelines to avoid potential conflicts. It is important to adhere to these guidelines.
• corporate reference: If a user indicates in his profile where he works, dealing with problematic content becomes even more sensitive, since a reference to the employer can be made quickly.

whether a like actually leads to a termination is not to be answered in general. Each case must be considered individually, and a warning can also occur - a clear signal from the employer that this behavior is not tolerated and should be avoided in the future. Die entscheidenden Informationen und Hintergründe zu dieser Thematik sind umfassend dokumentiert at www.merkur.de .