Is it wrong to be fired over a private text message?

SSgt Alex Robinson — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 21:06:56 -0400

http://time.com/money/4045304/fired-private-text-messages/?xid=yahoo_money

Can I Be Fired Over My Private Text Messages?

Q: Was it wrong for my boss to fire me after a stranger sent in photos of my private text messages? I’m a part-time retail…

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Sep 23 at 2015 10:02 PM

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 22:02:46 -0400

Private? What's that? Insubordination and/or threatening communications have always been just cause for termination as a disrespectful nature seldom makes for a good workplace. The powerful TED Talk explains why seemingly "private" texts are not:
http://www.ted.com/talks/jon_ronson_what_happens_when_online_shaming_spirals_out_of_control?language=en

When online shaming spirals out of control

Twitter gives a voice to the voiceless, a way to speak up and hit back at perceived injustice. But sometimes, says Jon Ronson, things go too far. In a jaw-dropping story of how one un-funny tweet ruined a woman's life and career, Ronson shows how online commenters can end up behaving like a baying mob -- and says it's time to rethink how we interact online.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2015 10:24 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 22:24:41 -0400

The common man or woman can but not Hillary or O.

Response by Sgt Rob Brothers made Sep 24 at 2015 12:35 AM

Sgt Rob Brothers — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 00:35:40 -0400

Well you really need to be careful what you say in a text now days. I think its wrong, but others may not.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Sep 24 at 2015 9:12 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 09:12:05 -0400

You probably are not in a union and probably work in a "right to work" state.
You boss can fire you because he / she does not like your shoes...

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 24 at 2015 12:51 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 12:51:49 -0400

If you are on YOUR personal phone on your PERSONAL time, no. If you're "brave" enough to engage in questionable text messages on a government or business provided phone, you take your chances. Now if your phone is routed through a personal email/text/whatever you want server at your house, with monitors who are paid enough not to snitch, your chances of survival are pretty good.

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 24 at 2015 2:57 PM

SGT Scott Bell — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 14:57:27 -0400

Yes it is