Lawyers and other professionals often tell me they don’t have time for twitter or social media. They might have families or personal lives which keep them occupied and don’t believe me when I tell them how quick and easy it can be. So, I asked a tweeting friend, lawyer and mum of two to write … Continue reading
It has been reported that a serving police officer who sent offensive tweets following the death of Margaret Thatcher has resigned his position. Metropolitan Police Sergeant Jeremy Scott, had taken to Twitter to make ‘unacceptable’ comments. He is reported to have said that he hoped Lady Thatcher’s death was “painful and degrading”, was “87 years … Continue reading
It has been reported that 17 year old Paris Brown has now resigned from her position. The’youth police commissioner’ in Kent has come under intense scrutiny following the discovery of offensive tweets after only 3 days in the job. Initially it was thought that Paris Brown would remain in her post despite the now-deleted tweets … Continue reading
The power of charm only gets you so far, as Kevin Poulter discovers On a recent trip up to Yorkshire, I listened in to a conversation in a café. Tuning in to my native accent, I watched and listened as an elderly lady, with blatant disregard for the reserved signs all over the table, sat … Continue reading
Dominic Grieve QC, the Attorney General, has recently been speaking out about the use of social media and advocating a zero tolerance approach. When I met with him we discussed this and how his own position might be seen to be at odds with some of his colleagues in public office. Dominic Grieve has enjoyed a steady … Continue reading
The Guardian has reported that the Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling, has issued instructions that probation officers face the risk of disciplinary action if they publicly criticise him or his plans on Twitter or other social media. The ban follows the announcement of Grayling’s controversial plans to outsource 70% of the probation officers’ work with offenders. The gag … Continue reading
It hasn’t exactly been a slow news week, but that hasn’t stopped the story of Paul Marshallsea making the headlines. Again. You may recall that Mr Marshallsea became an overnight hero after grappling with a shark in Australia whilst on holiday, saving a group of children swimming nearby. But rather than receiving a hero’s welcome … Continue reading
Frequently, employees who are accused of inappropriate behaviour on social media sites will blame someone else. “I didn’t write that” may sometimes seem like a convenient passing of the buck, but online identity theft – however temporary – is very real and can have serious consequences. You may not be familiar with such vulgar words … Continue reading
The BBC has reported a case in Northern Ireland in which a High Court judge has awarded damages of £35,000 against an unknown person who defamed people on Facebook. The identities of the three individuals who were libelled directly and by implication – and the business in which they worked – have not been revealed at the request of … Continue reading
Whether it’s real or the work of mischievous hackers, an outburst on Twitter today, seemingly from the troubled retailer’s own employees, highlights a problem many employers may face in the coming years. HMV’s 62,561 Twitter followers received a twenty minute tirade of messages from workers in the process of being dismissed. Initially light-hearted, the missives soon … Continue reading
Kevin Poulter 