Boss requires me to accept his social media request
I just started a new job and am eager to jump in and do great work. The only problem is my new boss sent me a follow request on Instagram.
I ignored it for a couple of days but he confronted me yesterday about it. I politely said I don’t follow people from work at all but he said he requires all his employees to follow him (and for them to follow him) for the first six months because he’s had problems in the past where people aren’t really who they claim to be outside of work
(he mentioned people aren’t as professional outside of work because they party, drink, etc) so this is his way of making sure new employees are “upstanding citizens” in their daily lives during the 6 month probation period. I work at an accounting firm.
I’m honestly shocked as I’ve never heard this or thought a boss can make you follow them on Instagram. Can I go to HR about this without my boss finding out?
Netizens’ comments
- This is a red flag for: micromanagers and narcissists. Don’t stop your job search, this one isn’t gonna work out in the long run
- OP should email the boss and state, clearly and explicitly, “I have received a follow request from you on instagram, you said it is required for me to accept it. I am not interested in connecting with you or anyone else working at (employer company name) on any social media. I will not accept the follow request. Please do not ask me to accept the request. I am not interested.” CC’ing HR, and CC’Ing OP’s personal email address.
- “No. You only pay me for my time on the job, not my time off. You have no right to my personal time.
Don’t skirt around it and change your account or something like that, he needs to know there is a thick black line between on the job and off the job. If you don’t address this now it will only get worse. Personally I’d start looking for another job immediately: this is a massive red flag. Expect a micromanager and no respect for your work/life balance if this is how he is out of the gate.