You’re expected to be loyal
After a bad day at work and a few drinks don’t be tempted to vent on social media
There are always a few managers who are cynical about senior management and the organisation but usually they are careful who they say it to. The occasional moan is to be expected but dissing the organisation publicly is a no no.
It’s not just MPs with leadership ambitions who brief against colleagues. Talking off the record is a recognised way of airing a grievance without appearing to be disloyal. In and out of politics the general rule is don’t criticise your boss or your organisation in public. Which doesn’t mean people don’t criticise in private. Moaning about the boss , senior management or the organisation is common practice or I thought it was. But what is frequently not recognised is that if it gets back to your boss you could face disciplinary action even dismissal.
I sacked a manager for making disparaging remarks about the organisation in public.
He was talking to colleagues from partner organisations when not for the first time he made derogatory comments about his employer. The most generous interpretation of his behaviour was that he wanted to stress that in leading the partnership in
drawing up a joint strategy he was not pushing forward his employers agenda. But he acted as if he wasn’t employed by the lead organisation and his comments were extremely unprofessional and brought the organisation into disrepute. He had to go.
So after a bad day and a few quiet drinks in the pub you’re tempted to tell your mate just what a dickhead your boss is or just what a shitty organisation you work for you better check no one else is listening. Like wise don’t be tempted to run down your organisation with examples of hypocrisy, the reality of its customer care promise or stories about cutting health and safety corners to save money, on social media. It’s not as private as some people think.
Your employer has a right to expect loyalty, you can always raise matters internally through line management or HR or wait till you have left their employment.
Blair McPherson former Director author and blogger blairmcpherson.co.uk
