If we've learned anything, it is that private things are only as private as we allow them to be.

In a world and time of social media, it is not surprising that items in our lives become public knowledge in the blink of an eye. We put it all out there--our shopping lists, vacation plans, our lunch, our policitcal views, our relationships. And . . . and . . . get this---we expect people to comment. Wow!

SInce the COVID pandemic began, it's gotten, well, worse (seems like a harsh word, but let's go with it). Our social lives are social is different ways. We welcome the public into our homes more than ever. The public can see what's on time of the fridge when we make a Tik Tok video. Coworkers can see what's on the walls behind us during ZOOM meetings. Our doctors can tell what color pajamas we wear and what we look like without makeup when we have a telemedicine visit. Our dogs have learned to speak . . . more on that another time.

And what about when we engage in work while at home? Work and personal have a less defined boundary. Work is home. Home is work. Or is it. And what about when we comment about work? You know . . . where we work, what we do, how much we love our jobs . . . . how much we love our co workers, how cute the secretary is, how much of a jerk our boss is, how ridiculous our company is. Nothing like a public forum to air your grievances, right? Nothing like co workers to comment and support you, right?

What happens when your jerk of a boss sees your post? What happens when you come into work and people are snickering and laughing because the joke a coworker posted about you has made the rounds in the office? Can you be disciplined for what you posted? Can you demand that what was posted about you be taken down, and the person who posted it be disciplined?

There is a definite difference in these two scenarios . . . sort of. If you posted a whine session about work online then grousing about work may be considered protected. May be . . .

Posting inappropriate jokes and comments, even harassing or sexual comments, about co workers on public social media may be a serious violation of EEOC regulations and even company policies.

So, which is it? OK to post and not care, or not OK and yes, you better care?

And then consider whether your employer went looking for your post. Take a minute and think about the last time you applied for a job. Was your social media presence wide open for others to see? Pictures, posts, that last party you attended. Some have made the argument that searching for your social media profile as part of considering you for a position can cross the line into discrimination. The burden shifts to the employer to prove you were not hired because you posted naked selfies at a raging party and not because of your race, which the employer would know about you from your social media posts and not about other candidates not on social media.

In no less than three word, please provide your opinion about how far an employer can go when making a hiring decision--can the employer use your social media posts? What about your posts after you've been hired--can your employer ding you for complaining about work?