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muriel_volestrangler

(105,496 posts)

47. It was given to her by the co-worker, and posted with permission

Tue Apr 3, 2012, 05:26 AM

Apr 2012

Hester, 27, was a full-time peer professional, or teacher's aide, at Frank Squires Elementary in Cassapolis, Mich. for about two years. A year ago, in April 2011, a coworker texted a photo showing herself with her pants around her ankles, with the message "thinking of you" as a joke.

"She's actually quite funny. It was spur of the moment," adding that there was nothing pornographic about the picture, which only showed the pants, part of her legs, and the tips of her shoes.

"I couldn't stop laughing so I asked for her permission to post it (on Facebook)," she said. The coworker agreed. Hester said all this took place on their own time, not at or during work.

Hester said a parent (not of one of her students) showed the photo to the superintendent, calling it unprofessional and offensive. Hester said the photo could only be viewed by her Facebook friends. The parent happened to be a family friend.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/michigan-teacher-disciplined-providing-access-facebook-page/story?id=16056231#.T3rPbKjaKSo

So this is nothing to do with privacy. It's about whether a family 'friend' (some friend, I'd say, if they complain to the school about this) has the right to demand school action about what a private group sees from a school employee, and whether the school has the right to regulate out-of-school behaviour of that type.

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Okay, this is REALLY messed up- refuse to hand over your FB password? You are FIRED! [View all] BeHereNow Apr 2012 OP

Shadow account. alphafemale Apr 2012 #1

Don't have an account period, MadHound Apr 2012 #4

We can count on you to defend the 1st amendment FreakinDJ Apr 2012 #5

Not sure I get your point, can you make it a bit clearer? n/t MadHound Apr 2012 #7

The school district is intimidating her from practicing her right to free speech FreakinDJ Apr 2012 #13

Would you forfeit your job over this issue? Might be hard to support your family with no job. nt ladjf Apr 2012 #18

The tree of liberty... derby378 Apr 2012 #20

The school system most definitely has no right, legal or otherwise to access ones personal ladjf Apr 2012 #25

If there were more people w the courage of their convictions America would be in far better shape. Doremus Apr 2012 #30

Why not ? I work contract to contract as it is now FreakinDJ Apr 2012 #43

One thing that makes me crazy is how businesses Warpy Apr 2012 #9

That I'm sure is part of the FB 'contract' jp11 Apr 2012 #17

I imagine your position would be the same LanternWaste Apr 2012 #54

Facebook deletes those once they find out about them. Friend used her maiden name instead of Justice wanted Apr 2012 #23

As long as it is not public... YellowRubberDuckie Apr 2012 #2

So true- her private life is just that- PRIVATE. BeHereNow Apr 2012 #10

Hmm... That's an interesting perspective. FBaggins Apr 2012 #14

If the person's face wasn't shown or the identity was not clear, then it's harmless and there's no NoMoreWarNow Apr 2012 #24

I disagree. FBaggins Apr 2012 #26

From what I'm understanding it's no different than someone looking down at the stall space to see Justice wanted Apr 2012 #31

What if the shoes or skirt is easily identifiable? nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #32

IT WAS A PAIR OF PANTS and REALLY can you figure out who the person is just by a pair of pants and Justice wanted Apr 2012 #35

of my coworkers, yes. nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #37

Especially if you so label it. FBaggins Apr 2012 #44

It was given to her by the co-worker, and posted with permission muriel_volestrangler Apr 2012 #47

Good... then at least it isn't illegal. FBaggins Apr 2012 #49

The 'tasteless' part is subjective muriel_volestrangler Apr 2012 #50

Actually, they can. Michigan is an "employment at will" state. WillowTree Apr 2012 #21

I do believe that even in "at will" states, if an employer fires an employee "for cause" and 1monster Apr 2012 #36

There is no free speech issue here. FBaggins Apr 2012 #42

Except her employer is the goverment. Angleae Apr 2012 #46

I only used "free speech" as an example. There are other protected things 1monster Apr 2012 #51

I hope she contacts Facebook cause I think they are looking for a test case like this. n/t teddy51 Apr 2012 #3

Agree! I hope they help her lawyer up ($$$$) BeHereNow Apr 2012 #6

This Is Why....... rsmith6621 Apr 2012 #8

That was my thought. RebelOne Apr 2012 #12

and legally that is true because Facebook hosts the info... slampoet Apr 2012 #40

Ask for their password. Shankapotomus Apr 2012 #11

Fourth Amendment Kencorburn Apr 2012 #15

Is it illegal to take a picture of someone in a bathroom stall and post it? Chemisse Apr 2012 #16

In Michigan, yes. FBaggins Apr 2012 #45

Giving others your FB password is a violation of the TOS agreement Canuckistanian Apr 2012 #19

Solution Aerows Apr 2012 #22

I agree Skittles Apr 2012 #27

Why people would go near that Facebook using their own name is beyond me. nt MADem Apr 2012 #28

I agree. That's why I only post using your name. Orrex Apr 2012 #29

Oooooh! I'll have to return the favor! MADem Apr 2012 #38

I'm wondering how the school considers this different from LiberalFighter Apr 2012 #33

Shh... jmowreader Apr 2012 #34

Number Four is the Law of the Land in Germany, you know. MADem Apr 2012 #39

Not the same muriel_volestrangler Apr 2012 #48

Reason #749 why I don't have a Facebook account (or anything like it). Johnny Rico Apr 2012 #41

Because you might accidentally post an embarrassing picture? randome Apr 2012 #52

No, I simply don't use *any* of the social media. Johnny Rico Apr 2012 #53