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Technology can backfire

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Many of Baat Gwaa's friends have cleaned up their Facebook sites to remove possible 'incriminating evidence', in case their employers, present or potential, use it against them.

There have been incidents in which people were sacked for what they posted on Facebook. A friend told Baat Gwaa that a sales manager spoke his mind on his own page about the company. He was fired after his boss found out about the offending comment.

Does that mean we are not allowed to have a life outside work?

A new media consultant reminded Baat Gwaa that technology has always been a double-edged sword, so we should be careful which side we use. 'We have become too comfortable with using social networking sites for work and play, and have forgotten how dangerous it is to mix business with pleasure.'

Another friend, who is in the recruitment sector, agreed that being cautious is important, but employees don't need to be overly worried. 'Those cases of hiring and firing on Facebook are not the norm. Sensible employers will not take Facebook information seriously. Big companies will still do proper background checks on potential candidates, not Facebook 'profiling'.'

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