The 7 Rules Of Facebook Friending

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It’s one of the great dilemmas of modern living – should I add my work colleagues on Facebook?

As much as I’d love to tell you that there’s a straight answer for this, unfortunately there isn’t one. Just like the Facebook status says, “It’s complicated.”

If you’re considering adding your workmates on Facebook, I invite you to stop and pause. On any given weekend (or any night for that matter), you might like to consider the following questions:

  • What are you doing tonight?
  • Will you be drunk?
  • Will you be posting selfies?
  • Will someone check you in? (There’s always one.)
  • Do you want your manager seeing you in various states of casual dress and / or going-out wear?

I propose a new etiquette for Facebook friending of work colleagues, let’s call it…The Constitution of Facebook Friending

Article 1: Bosses shall not friend subordinates.

Don’t put your people in that situation. If they want to be Facebook friends with you, they’ll send the request. So bosses and managers, hold fire on your friend requests. It’s not too much to ask.

Article 2: Peers may friend peers.

I have no problem with peers adding one another, provided the desire to be Facebook friends is mutual. To unwanted friend requests, Australia says no.

Article 3: All shall set their privacy settings accordingly.

Once you’ve become Facebook friends you’ve entered another terrestrial realm. Make sure that your privacy settings are such that you are comfortable with the level of visibility that your new Facebook friend has with regards to your profile, photos, etc.

Article 4: Thou shalt not reveal who in the office are Facebook friends with one another.

Wait, is this the Constitution or the Ten Commandments? Try not to think about that and just know that being Facebook friends is your little secret – no one else needs to know.

Article 5Do not share anything you wouldn’t be comfortable with your grandma seeing.

We all have different comfort zones when it comes to sharing stuff on Facebook. Just remember that whatever you post on the internet lives on forever, much like this tortoise.

Article 6: If in doubt, don’t send the friend request.

If you send a friend request and it gets ignored, things can get weird. If you’re not sure that you’re tight enough with Bob from Accounting to be Facebook friends, sit tight. Let Bob decide.

Article 7: It’s not a good idea to complain about work on Facebook.

It will come back to bite you in the arse. Example:

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