Facebook Post Gets Quitman Volunteer Booted from Program
By:
Updated: January 11, 2013
The line between freedom of speech and trying to make a point is a fine one that can sometimes be crossed when it comes to social media.
One Quitman woman found that out the hard way earlier this month.
Roxanne Lindsey is a volunteer first responder and has been for almost a year but the City of Quitman booted her off the volunteer team after she posted on Facebook negative remarks about the city's emergency response policies and practices.
"I should have used classier words...I should have not said what I said but I did," Lindsey told KARK.
The city's mayor ordered Lindsey to turn back in her medic bag and then issued a letter stating city has a "no tolerance" policy when it comes to volunteers and employees making negative remarks about the city or volunteers on social media.
Mayor Cyndi Kerr her said in an email statement to KARK: "The issue with Mrs. Lindsey was a disciplinary issue and it was treated in an appropriate manner just as any other employee or volunteer would be handled. It is unfortunate that such action had to be taken."
Social media expert Elizabeth Bowles, President of Little Rock-based Aristotle, says freedom of speech is one thing but employees and volunteers can face consequences if they post disparaging remarks or confidential information about the organization they serve.
"Facebook may be personal, social media may be personal but it's not private. Anything can be seen by anybody," Bowles said.
Lindsey says she plans to take her issue to Quitman City Council on Monday during their regular meeting.
One Quitman woman found that out the hard way earlier this month.
Roxanne Lindsey is a volunteer first responder and has been for almost a year but the City of Quitman booted her off the volunteer team after she posted on Facebook negative remarks about the city's emergency response policies and practices.
"I should have used classier words...I should have not said what I said but I did," Lindsey told KARK.
The city's mayor ordered Lindsey to turn back in her medic bag and then issued a letter stating city has a "no tolerance" policy when it comes to volunteers and employees making negative remarks about the city or volunteers on social media.
Mayor Cyndi Kerr her said in an email statement to KARK: "The issue with Mrs. Lindsey was a disciplinary issue and it was treated in an appropriate manner just as any other employee or volunteer would be handled. It is unfortunate that such action had to be taken."
Social media expert Elizabeth Bowles, President of Little Rock-based Aristotle, says freedom of speech is one thing but employees and volunteers can face consequences if they post disparaging remarks or confidential information about the organization they serve.
"Facebook may be personal, social media may be personal but it's not private. Anything can be seen by anybody," Bowles said.
Lindsey says she plans to take her issue to Quitman City Council on Monday during their regular meeting.
Comments
How can a mayor send a CITY police office outside of his jurisdiction to confiscate anything? If the city of Quitman's EMS was worth a [censored] then there would be no problem here. Sounds like Cyndi Kerr is trying to flex muscles she doesn't legally have. I'd have taken that little red bag and shoved it straight up her [censored]! No wonder Quitman sucks; look who we have running it!
Chris H.
January 12, 2013 at 9:43 pm
