When you’re pursuing justice for a workplace issue—whether it’s discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination or retaliation—what you post on social media can have a major impact on your case.
It may be tempting to share your experience online, especially if you’re feeling frustrated about how you’ve been treated or want to warn others. But in reality, staying off social media is one of the smartest things you can do while your legal matter is ongoing.
What’s the big deal?
Anything you post publicly—or even privately—can potentially be used against you. Employers and their attorneys often monitor social media platforms for information they can use to weaken your claims. A single comment, photo or message taken out of context could be twisted to discredit your story, question your credibility or portray you in a negative light. Even posts that seem unrelated to your case might be used to suggest that you’re exaggerating your emotional distress or not being entirely truthful.
For example, if you’re pursuing a claim for emotional suffering or stress, a cheerful-looking post or a vacation photo could be misinterpreted as proof that you weren’t really impacted. Similarly, venting online about your employer or the legal process might violate confidentiality agreements or appear unprofessional, giving the other side ammunition to undermine your claim.
The best approach is to pause your social media activity altogether during your case. Avoid posting updates, commenting on workplace issues or discussing any aspect of the legal process online. Instead, communicate only with your legal team and trusted individuals offline. Your focus should be on documenting evidence, following legal guidance and building the strongest case possible—not on public commentary.