When is being a dobber ok?

[donnashuggy]

Now that it is being encouraged by our Government

Have the rules changed or just the repercussions?

Didn't that German war criminal encourage dobbing?

[freshwater-2]

I totally agree, Joona.

Apart from their beauty, they are nature's boarding houses.

[kennedia_nigricans]

there are SOME people who are intelligent AND educated enough to realise what is going on and who are able to make their own choices but that does NOT apply to the majority of the population. the proof is everywhere in real life.

just think of the x-mas madness for one example. almost everyone is sucked in by business to spend, spend SPEND as if their life depended on it. that is NOT free will. it just isn't. if it was NO ONE would complain about the x-msa stress etc.

[donnashuggy]

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@freshwaterbeach wrote:

So dobbing on your workmates would be a no no?

Donna, it depends on what the issue is.

If a workmate is stealing, discussing confidential matters, slandering, et al it should be reported.

If the workmate is only giving a personal opinion (based on fact) it is a no no.

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I think it is wrong, hopefully the unions can do something to stop it.

[aftanas]

This post refers to a policy on the use of social media by Australian Public Servants where such use breaches the APS Code of Conduct.  Pursuant to section 15 of the Public Service Act 1999 public servant who breach the Code of Conduct may be sanctioned and such sanctions range from a reprimand to termination of employment.  The APS Code of Conduct is specified at section 13 and paragraph 13(11)(b) provides that an APS employee must at all times behave in a way that "upholds the integrity and good reputation of the employee’s Agency and the APS". 

The article in question which prompted this thread (Nothing to 'like' about social media gag) suggests "Liking" a facebook page critical of the government may be grounds for sanctioning a public servant.  I think this is a hysterical overstatement.  Any sanction applied to a public servant that is not consistent with a breach of the code of conduct or that is not reasonable is unlawful and liable to be overturned.

Public servants are not free to publicly criticise the government as such criticism may be in breach of paragraph 13(11)(b) of the PSA 1999.  However, the test under the provision is whether the criticism is such that the integrity and good reputation of the relevant department and the APS is compromised.  Arguably, entering into a public debate on government policy not relevant to the employees department is not a breach of paragraph 13(11)(b).  Further, if there is a breach, under administrative law the sanction is required to be commensurate with the seriousness of the infraction.  Whereas public criticism by a senior official may be considered a serious breach worthy of a serious sanction, it is difficult to see how comments on a news blog by non executive employees would merit any sanction whatsoever.

The story is a beat up.  No public servant is going to be punished for liking a facebook page. 

[donnashuggy]

And don't think public service departments are not monitoring social media. On the weekend, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection sent a tweet from its official account to refugee advocate Vanessa Powell informing her that an offensive remark about one of its employees had been left in a comment on her Facebook page. They told her if it was not removed they would consider further options.

[donnashuggy]

The new policy clearly states it covers the use of social media in an official and unofficial ­capacity, whether for professional or personal use. If public servants are found to have ­breached the ­Australian Public Service Code of Conduct they could be sacked. Colleagues will also be encouraged to dob in each other.

[just_me_karen]

The worst thing about that case, Donna, was the comment was on a locked facebook account and was not written by vanessa, but by one of her friends. She was threatened on a public govt account, sending a clear message that they are watching.

[*crikey*mate*]

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@just_me_karen wrote:
60

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Happy Birthday!

[donnashuggy]

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@just_me_karen wrote:
The worst thing about that case, Donna, was the comment was on a locked facebook account and was not written by vanessa, but by one of her friends. She was threatened on a public govt account, sending a clear message that they are watching.

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It's darn ridiculous!

[silverfaun]

Is being a dobber OK?  Well it's OK for a lot on here, they don't seem yo have a problem with it. 😞