Pros and cons of using social media to highlight employment grievances

LINKEDIN is very well known as a platform for professional networking and in particular job-seeking and recruitment.

- BETHAN DARWIN

It’s also where people post about their accomplishments and career milestones to create personal branding and professional presence.

Professionals post that they are seeking work or open to job opportunities, and this is often accompanied by a positive message about their previous job or engagement. Something along the lines of: “After X incredible years with Y, it’s time to move on. I’m proud of all we achieved together and wish the company and my colleagues continued success. A new challenge awaits.”

What we don’t see on LinkedIn are announcements like the one posted two weeks ago by Claire Bradbury, chief operating officer of the Salford Red Devils rugby league club, after 11 months with the club.

The Red Devils are in dire straits. The club has a history dating back to 1873 and a very loyal fanbase. It was taken over in February this year from its community ownership by a consortium led by Swiss businessman Dario Berta, CEO of Matanel. A new CEO was appointed by the consortium and lasted just three months. The club are bottom of the Super League, a number of senior players have left, staff have not been paid, fans are organising protests against the club's owners and, to top it all, there is a winding-up petition by HMRC which has already been adjourned once and which is due to be heard on Wednesday.