Your Social Media Use Can Cost You Your Job

It’s scary, but true. More and more, companies are enacting policies that prohibit employees from mentioning the name of the company they work for online. Teachers have been fired for what has been perceived as inappropriate content on their MySpace or Facebook accounts.

I find this to be a serious problem. We should have the freedom to post or say what we want to in the social media arena. A teacher should be able to post a picture of her drinking. An employee, of any company, should be able to post the name of the company that he/she works for.

What right does an employer have to dictate what someone does in their private life? If it is legal, then there should be no problem. What will be next? Will companies be able to outline policies that prevent you from stating your political beliefs on the internet? Will they be able to enact policies about moral behavior?

Schools are already demonstrating that they care about employees moral behavior. Employees have been fired over it. This is a judgment call. What one person feels is immoral, another may not. An example would be 39-year-old Jarretta Hamiliton, who was fired from Southland Christian School in St. Cloud, Florida. The reason, she had premarital sex.

“Jarretta was asked not to return because of a moral issue that was disregarded, namely fornication, sex outside of marriage. The employment application, which she filled out, clearly states that as a leader before our students we require all teachers to maintain and communicate the values and purpose of our school.” Principal Jon Ennis

From CBS Atlanta:
“A former high school teacher is suing a north Georgia school district, alleging she was forced to resign over photos and expletives on her Facebook page.Ashley Payne, 24, claimed the Barrow County school district violated state labor law because she was never told she was entitled to a hearing…Payne resigned Aug. 27 after her principal questioned her about her Facebook page, which included photos of her holding wine and beer and an expletive. She had worked at the school for two years.”

Is this right? Do they have the right? In my opinion, NO.

Another question to consider: If you are a blogger, can your spouse be fired for something you put on your blog?

Why People Enter or Don't Enter Promotional Giveaways On Blogs

I hold giveaways on my blog. Some receive a lot of entries, while others don't. I've noticed a pattern with which ones receive high entries vs. those that don't. But there are still some that surprise me.

On my blog, I've noticed that my entries are higher if the main entry is simply to comment as to why they want to win. The ones that make you go to another site and come back tend to have less entries. If the main entry requires multiple things to be done, then the entries are really low.

There are exceptions to these observations. High dollar giveaway items seem to motivate people to work a little harder to enter. A $75 or higher value item seems to attract more people and they are more willing to go to another site and then come back and enter.

Sponsors want to draw attention to their brand and their website. The giveaway draws attention to the brand. The more giveaways the sponsor holds on blogs, the more attention the brand receives. This creates a buzz among consumers. If a sponsor is serious about wanting to generate traffic to their site, immediately, than a higher priced item should be offered as a giveaway prize.

It is my personal opinion that doing one giveaway, on one blog, is not enough to generate interest or website traffic. The average person may see something and think "interesting." Then next time that person sees the item or hears about a brand, "I remember." The third time, "I need to check that out."

Of course, that is just an opinion. I would like to know what you think. How many times do you need to see something, before you want to investigate more? Why do you enter giveaways, and what determines which ones you do or don't enter?

Recall On Dangerous Toys - Children's Bracelets

The CPSC has issued a recall for Children’s Happy Charm Bracelets and Football Rings due to high levels of cadmium.

"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2010
Release #10-287 Firm's Recall Hotline: (877) 390-5470
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908


Children’s Jewelry Recalled by SmileMakers Due to High Levels of Cadmium
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Children’s Happy Charm Bracelets and Football Rings

Units: About 66,200 Charm Bracelets and 2,200 Rings

Importer: Toy Network, of Indianola, Iowa and Fun Express Oriental Trading Company, of Omaha, Neb.

Distributor: SmileMakers Inc., of Spartanburg, S.C.

Hazard: The metal substrate in the jewelry contains high levels of cadmium. Cadmium is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves “Happy” charm bracelets and football rings. The “Happy” charm bracelet is comprised of colorful beads on a small elastic band to which a metal charm in the shape of a butterfly, moon or sun is attached. The football ring is a small adjustable metal band to which a football charm (made of metal) is attached.

Distributed at: Doctor and dentist offices nationwide from June 2005 through March 2010 for free.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled jewelry away from children and discard the product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact SmileMakers toll-free at (877) 390-5470 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, visit the company’s website at www.smilemakers.com, or send email to product.questions@smilemakers.com"

Trying To Get ABA Therapy For Autism Teaching

I met with my son’s case manager. She is still working on getting my son a communication device. Apparently, his former case manage left things a mess. She quit and his new one is trying to fix everything. His new case manager isn’t familiar with communication devices or Boardmaker.

A couple years ago, we were able to get a touch screen and Boardmaker. His CAP services/Medicaid paid for them. The company that is responsible for approving the communication device we are trying to get, asked her why does he need it when he just got a communication device. I explained to her that he didn’t get a communication device. He received software and a touch screen that can be used on the computer. He needs a communication device that he can take anywhere.

She understood after I explained. Then I brought up ABA. I firmly believe that my son would benefit from ABA therapy. I’ve tried and tried to get it, but either there were no providers in the area or insurance wouldn’t pay. I asked her to check into it. There are providers in the area, but I don’t know if CAP or my son’s insurance will pay for it. If my son was 3 years old, I would be able to get ABA for him with no problem. Only, he’s not. He’s 11. When he was 3, he wasn’t even diagnosed ASD. He was diagnosed with “Global Delays.” Globally delayed is all we heard, until he was 5 years old. That was when he was diagnosed with Autism. Of course, the school had to be convinced. That took a lot of doing.

From everything I have read, ABA can benefit all ages. It is believed that the younger the child, the more ABA can benefit him. That is great, but please don’t forget about my son, just because he isn’t the age you think he should be to receive ABA therapy. He is still learning. His OT and I were working with him on throwing a ball the other day. His biggest problem with that is letting go of the ball. We actually got him to do that. We were so proud of him.

His case manager said she will call me Friday and let me know what she found out. I hope it’s good news and not bad. I really think he needs this.