Every once and a while you’ll hear in the news of someone who is fired or disciplined for conduct performed outside of work. HR Wench recently wrote a blog about a President who was fired for appearing on a television show and how his activity outside of the workplace should not matter. I responded to her blog but since this has been a topic on my mind recently I would like to expand on my thoughts.
It is my belief that every action you take outside of work can impact your work life. To what degree the company becomes involved and takes action against you depends on the situation.
There is one major rule when it comes to off duty conduct. That is, if you mention or display the company you work for while performing the questionable conduct, recourse is more likely to be taken against you. For example, there have been numerous instances of women appearing in Playboy or similar magazines in their work uniform causing them to be fired. This is a simple rule to avoid breaking, but it also requires diligence. Do you have a company bumper sticker on your car? Maybe you don’t want to flick that person off. Do you wear a t-shirt with your work logo on it? Perhaps you shouldn’t wear it when you go out to the bar.
What about the rest of the time? When you have no identifiable paraphernalia on your person or items. Well, I would argue that you’re just as accountable. Unless you live more than 50 miles from your work site, there is always a chance you will be recognized. What if a coworker sees on television at an anti-war rally, a gay pride parade, wasted at a St. Patty’s Day parade, entered in a wet t-shirt contest, or at a neo-nazi gathering? No matter what persona you project at work, these things have the ability to change what your coworkers and supervisors think of you. You may not be formally disciplined, but your work life could dramatically change.
Your off duty actions can impact your future. What if the person you get into a bout of road rage is your future business partner, client, coworker, supervisor? While it may not affect you now, it could very well affect you in the future. Maybe you didn’t get that perfect job because your potential new coworker saw you berate a store clerk once.
In many ways you truly are never off the clock. We’re so protective about what people see regarding our personal lives on the internet, but not when it comes to our actions in public. If you wouldn’t want it shouted from the rooftop at your workplace, should you be doing it at public?
April 14, 2008 at 7:33 am |
I completely agree with your thoughts. Always act with discretion.
April 14, 2008 at 8:15 am |
I have to say, though, that a company that would have an issue with an employee being at a gay pride parade is a company that I’d prefer to tell to go f*#! itself.
April 15, 2008 at 10:14 am |
Rachel, you bring up an interesting issue. I think it’s important for people to think about this, I mean it makes sense – you are a reflection of the company you keep. I think that very much applies in this case from the perspective of the employee and the organization.
But it’s all a question of where we draw the line and sometimes I think employers can be a bit paranoid about what might affect their image.
April 15, 2008 at 4:12 pm |
Ask a Manager – Sadly, homophobia is still a huge problem in U.S. business culture.
Jacklyn – It’s all a gray area. It’s hard to say what will get you in trouble with a company, but in general if you remain respectful to all you’re on the right track.
April 15, 2008 at 8:38 pm |
Sure, but they should still be told to screw off. I mean, really.
April 16, 2008 at 12:33 am |
Rachel and AAM – They would also possibly be facing a lawsuit if they are located in certain areas that have sexual orientation on the books as a protected class.
April 16, 2008 at 10:31 pm |
[...] are your brand and what you do outside the office matters. “Do you have a company bumper sticker on your car? Maybe you don’t want to flick that [...]
April 17, 2008 at 11:33 am |
Really, if it’s something you might end up being ashamed of later, why do it at all? What benefit are you expecting? These things come back to bite you.
April 19, 2008 at 12:22 pm |
This is an interesting discussion that really hits home for me. I have a blog that has made links with nationally-known blogs and I deal with controversial political topics. While I consider this a hobby and none of my employers’ business, I do blog with the rule in mind not to mention my employers or my co-workers. However, I always have in the back of my mind if I am hurting my career chances by being open about what I think and what I believe politically and if I might have set off some red flags on some people upstairs. I still have a job and I have never been reprimanded. But still I can’t help but think that I might be better professionally with a hobby that is not so politically charged.
April 20, 2008 at 2:20 pm |
Rachl, what a timely topic. I just saw two professors at a gay bar named “Uncles” this weekend. Yes, Uncles. Too weird for me, and of course, I texted all of my friends about it. So people should beware, although it’s hard to keep a squeaky clean life outside of work.
April 20, 2008 at 3:33 pm |
Andy – That’s always fun. It can’t wait to hear more fun stories from you next week! I was about to say I lead a squeaky clean life but that’s not true, I sometimes don’t pick up my dog poo. I could be fined!
April 29, 2008 at 12:07 pm |
I’ve had to term people because of their behavior outside of work, and it is not fun. Not that terming someone ever is. With so much transparency around what everyone does in their daily lives, I agree and think more people should be conscious of the impressions they make. My father-in-law rejected an otherwise well-qualified applicant once because he had witnessed him blowing up at a referee during a kid’s baseball game a few months previously. How can you expect someone not to have that influence their decision? And you never know who’ll be on the other side of the interview someday.
August 9, 2008 at 4:38 pm |
[...] reputation and prevented him from receiving more business. I’ve written before about how what you do outside of work can hurt your reputation but what you do at work is far more [...]