Social media and work: what to avoid and what to post
An expert explains which social media content can jeopardize the careers of cross-border workers in Ticino
Contesto
In brief - Photos of parties with alcohol and drugs can cost you your job - Selfies in bikinis or at the gym are generally acceptable - Adolescent posts with disrespectful comments are critical ## Key facts - What: Advice on what to post on social media - When: April 2026 - Where: Canton Ticino, Switzerland - Who: Marlon Giglinger, social media expert - Amount: Not specified Social media profiles should be cleaned up once or twice a year. This is the advice from Marlon Giglinger, a social media expert, after old posts on Facebook cost journalist Pascal Schmitz dearly. According to Giglinger, past content should be evaluated in light of 'today's social standards, your professional role, and your personal positioning'. ### Party photos For Giglinger, it's clear: 'Images with drugs and alcohol are almost always frowned upon', both by employers and the public. There are differences between sectors: 'In creative fields, they may weigh less, but in 'conservative' contexts, a photo with a joint is a problem'. ### Holiday, gym, or couch photos Photos in bikinis or shirtless selfies are generally not problematic. For gym selfies: 'Mostly harmless, but context matters. In fitness or lifestyle, they are normal, elsewhere they can seem inappropriate'. A photo on the couch with pizza is also harmless, but in certain environments, it can seem unprofessional. ### Photos with children Regarding photos in which your own children or other children appear, the expert is generally cautious. 'Photos of children, compared to the situations mentioned above, are in principle acceptable, but the issue of privacy and the protection of minors must be considered'. Giglinger therefore classifies such posts as 'critical'. ### Adolescent posts Old posts like 'school is so useless: what's it goo...
Dettagli operativi
Comments and Opinion Posts A comment like 'honestly, this is complete nonsense, inform yourself' in response to a hate comment can come across as aggressive, insecure, and generally negative. On the other hand, someone who writes 'Today is just a day of s...' may appear more authentic and human. 'I would say: not problematic. However, it shouldn't become the norm, otherwise it could have a negative effect,' observes the expert. Giglinger views comments or posts like 'How can you vote for party XY? Absolutely stupid' more critically. He explains: 'Everyone should be able to express their opinion publicly. However, adding 'absolutely stupid' is playing with fire.' ### Implications for Cross-Border Workers For cross-border workers in Ticino, it is crucial to be aware of the impact that their social media posts can have on their careers. An inappropriate post can not only jeopardize a promotion but also lead to dismissal. It is therefore essential to carefully evaluate the content published, taking into account their professional role and the context in which they operate. ### Practical Tips 1. Review your posts periodically: Once or twice a year, review your posts to ensure they align with current standards and your professional role. 2. Be aware of the context: Before posting a photo or comment, consider the context in which it will be seen. A post that might be acceptable in a creative setting might not be in a more conservative one. 3. Respect others' privacy: When posting photos of children or other people, make sure you have their consent and respect their privacy. 4. Avoid aggressive comments: Although it may be tempting to respond to a hate comment with aggression, it is better to maintain a respectful and constructive tone. ### What to Do If You've Posted Somet...
Punti chiave
Concrete steps to manage your social media 1. Make an inventory of your posts: Start with the most recent posts and go back in time. Identify posts that might be problematic. 2. Evaluate the context: For each problematic post, evaluate the context in which it was published and whether it is still relevant to your current situation. 3. Edit or remove posts: If a post is clearly problematic, consider removing it. If the post has personal value, you can edit it to make it less problematic. 4. Publish a clarification post: If you have posted something that could be misunderstood, consider publishing a clarification post to explain your point of view. 5. Set privacy settings: Make sure your posts are only visible to the people you want. You can set the privacy of your posts so that they are only visible to your friends or a selected audience. ### Useful tools To help you manage your social media and ensure they are in line with your professional role, you can use tools like salary calculator and permit comparator. These tools can help you better understand the implications of your social media choices and make informed decisions. ### Conclusion Managing your social media responsibly is crucial for your career, especially if you work as a cross-border worker in Ticino. By following Marlon Giglinger's advice and using the available tools, you can ensure that your posts are always in line with your professional role and current social standards. Remember that an inappropriate post can have negative consequences, so it's always better to be cautious and think carefully before posting something online. Source: tio.ch
Punti chiave
[{"q":"How often should I review my social media posts?","a":"Marlon Giglinger recommends reviewing your social media posts once or twice a year. This will help ensure your content is always in line with current social standards and your professional role."},{"q":"What should I do if I've posted something problematic?","a":"If you realize you've posted something that could harm your professional reputation, act quickly to remove or modify the post. If the post has already gained some visibility, consider publishing an apology or clarification post to mitigate any potential damage."},{"q":"How can I ensure my posts are appropriate for my professional role?","a":"Before posting a photo or comment, consider the context in which it will be seen. A post that might be acceptable in a creative setting might not be in a more conservative one. Evaluate your posts carefully and ensure they align with your professional role."}]
Frequently Asked Questions
- How often should I review my social media posts?
- Marlon Giglinger recommends reviewing your social media posts once or twice a year. This will help ensure your content is always in line with current social standards and your professional role.
- What should I do if I've posted something problematic?
- If you realize you've posted something that could harm your professional reputation, act quickly to remove or modify the post. If the post has already gained some visibility, consider publishing an apology or clarification post to mitigate any potential damage.
- How can I ensure my posts are appropriate for my professional role?
- Before posting a photo or comment, consider the context in which it will be seen. A post that might be acceptable in a creative setting might not be in a more conservative one. Evaluate your posts carefully and ensure they align with your professional role.