Friend-ing people from work? Why you should and shouldn't

Why friend-ing people from work may seem like a good idea:

When you move to a new town, step out of your comfort zone, or start any new career you have the need to bond and make new friends. You fall under a false sense of security that the people that you work with care about you and genuinely care about you. This may be true in some cases, but most of the time it is not. You are working for a company with people that want to get ahead of you. In some cases they will even use what you post against you.


Why you should:
Some people are genuine. These aren't the people that you have to worry about. Some people that you will work with will become your close friends out of work. A good rule of thumb is that you should only friend people on Facebook that you have gone out with at least twice. Feel out the situation and do what you think is right. At first, I personally, put the new people on a limited profile and as they earn my trust, work them up to viewing my whole profile. Being in a sorority taught me about keeping it classy on Facebook and keeping my pictures, posts, wall, and general profile PG. This should be a good practice for everyone.


Why you shouldn't:
Some people use others to get ahead at work. People will sit on Facebook waiting for you to screw up so that they can bring it up at work, causing you embarrassment and a loss of respect. Which leads me to my next point: NEVER become friends with your boss. Nine times out of ten you will slip on a post and it could potentially lose you your job!! Again, use your common sense! Feel out your surroundings, get to know people before you let them in, and always use your best judgement online. Never vent about work if you have co-workers as friends. If you do vent, use the appropriate privacy settings! Happy posting!