Guest The Pom Queen Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 THE case of a public servant sacked over tweets critical of the immigration department will head to Fair Work Australia. Michaela Banerji lost her job in the public affairs section of the immigration department after tweeting comments critical of government asylum seeker policy and the department. She made the comments under the pseudonym LaLegale. Ms Banerji had launched an appeal against a decision not to stay her sacking, but today she withdrew that Federal Court action. The case will instead go to a conference at the Fair Work Commission in November. Ms Banerji said she was pursuing the matter to foster a discussion about the treatment of public servants making comments in a private capacity. "So many people do not get an opportunity to air these things, to bring these things into the open," she told reporters in Canberra. She believed that if her sacking was upheld, that effectively meant any public servant could face dismissal if they criticised their departments in their own time. "It seems that the government is making an example of me," she said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 With the ever mounting control over citizens it hardly surprises me. Hardly only government though that takes a dim view to social media critique. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 If I took to wittier complaining about my employer, I would also expect to be fired. I think it is reasonable to expect employees to air their grievances privately. And if she were genuinely troubled by something and wanted to make a public stand she should have resigned first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wakeboard1980 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 would this even be news if it was in the private sector? As Rupert said, if I was having a go at my employer then I don't think I would last long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxlornaxx Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Social media isnt your own home...I think she was silly to do that and their was probably a work policy advising against it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 I would consider drawing the line between tweets about government policy and tweets about internal departmental affairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 It's been used as a form of dismissal for years un the UK. Criticising anyone's workplace is a daft thing to do on any social media site if you want to keep your job that is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levi Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 How did they find out who she was if she wasn't using her real name on Twitter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxlornaxx Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Probably a colleague/follower told employer. .unless she got drunk at the xmas party n invited everyone to follow her Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rahmad Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 May be using office network to tweet.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight7 Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 Well you wouldn't want someone like that working for you would you? She is obviously disloyal and hasn't the guts to take her arguments to the proper place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CollegeGirl Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 If you're going to complain about your employer, at least 1) have the sense to ensure you've maximized your privacy settings, and 2) have the sense not to add any coworkers onto the social network you're using to do it. *Especially* if you're in Public Relations / Public Affairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dxboz Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 Public servants are supposed to serve the government of the day regardless of their policies and are supposed to uphold the Australian Public Service values at all times (both in work and private time). They also have to uphold the code of conduct which clearly states - All APS employees are required to comply with the Code of Conduct, including to at all times behave in a way that upholds the APS Values and Employment Principles, and the integrity and good reputation of their agency and the APS. A breach of the Code of Conduct can result in sanctions, ranging from a reprimand to termination of employment. It is quite clear that she breached the code of conduct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 We have very strict policies at work regarding the use of social media and disciplinary action is one of the consequences Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossmoyne Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 We have very strict policies at work regarding the use of social media and disciplinary action is one of the consequences Although I am now retired, I was a Public Servant for the WA government for many years and there were, and still are, very strict policies about employees using social media of any form to make comments. As there would be with private employers I would imagine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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