Should you add your boss on Facebook?

You see your boss every day and they know a fair amount about you, so should you add them on Facebook? Social media is a tricky one as although you may feel like you know someone, their online accounts can show a very different side to them. Here is what you need to consider before you send a request to be your boss’s Facebook friend.

Pro: You can appear more human and someone with real interests which don’t actually have anything to do with work. Your boss may really like this and will therefore have better conversations at work with you about what you’ve both been up to. You never know, you could have similar interests too, which you may not have known about them without Facebook.

Con: If you are posting how excited you are for the weekend or about how much of a traveller you are, you may come across like you’re purely working for money to spend on your time off. Although this is the case for most people, you don’t want to appear that way, especially in front of your boss.

Pro: Your boss could actually really like to see that you have a good work-life balance and that you make the most out of your time when you’re not in the office. It all depends on the type of boss they are, but if they encourage you to do well but also take breaks, they might appreciate seeing that you do live an enjoyable life.

Con: You will need to constantly watch what you post on Facebook as you don’t want to appear unprofessional. For example, although you may find videos of cats singing funny, your boss may not and you could be judged for it. You’ll also need to keep an eye on the photos you’re being tagged in, as they won’t appreciate seeing half naked photos of you in club toilets.

Pro: If you have had a particularly good week at work, you might want to tell your friends and family about it. By posting such things on Facebook, your boss will see how much you appreciate your job and may like that you’re showing the company in a good light.

Con: You might like to comment on news stories or your friends might think it’s funny to post innuendoes on your statuses. Although you may find them hilarious, your boss may not. If you have them on Facebook, you could find yourself living in fear that they are going to see something you’d rather they didn’t. 

Pro: By having your boss on Facebook, you can both arrange events in the future for the company where everyone is invited. Then work becomes more than just a day in an office, it becomes fun as you and your colleagues have things to talk about and things to look forward to all together. You and your boss could soon become friends and more opportunities may come your way.

Con: Beware, you’re opening Pandora’s Box. Should you change your mind and decide that it wasn’t such a good idea after all, how would you go about unfriending your boss?

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