How Social Media Posts Ruined Careers
In this chapter, we will tell you stories of unsuccessful social media posts that led to scandals and dismissals. Insult a royal figure? Laugh at pensioners? Post intimate photos? Be careful and do not repeat the mistakes of others.
This chapter is based on materials from the media, and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided.
Story 1. Nurse Marina.
Marina Ivanova (name changed) from Nizhny Tagil worked as a nurse and one day became the anti-hero of Runet for posting a photo with a patient on social media. There is nothing criminal about the photo with the patient, but in this case, the patient was under anesthesia on the operating table with a cut-open abdomen. The photo clearly shows traces of blood, as well as the surgeon performing the operation.
The photo caused a significant public outcry, and a commission was formed, deeming the image a violation of professional ethics. However, the case did not lead to dismissal; the nurse only faced public apologies and signed a code of conduct. Apparently, the staff shortage played a role.
Story 2. The Last Photo.
Nurse Olesya Ivanova (name changed) from the Kolomna Central District Hospital was less fortunate. Olesya was preparing a patient for surgery on the pancreas and decided to immortalize the moment by photographing the man while he lay naked on the operating table. But a simple photo on her phone seemed insufficient, and Olesya posted the photo of the naked patient on Instagram. The patient died a day later, but the photo sparked considerable noise and discontent in the online community.
Olesya was fired, and she commented on her actions as follows:
"Of course, it was not the best decision of my life. I don’t know why I posted that photo; I didn’t think there would be such consequences. But the management acted unfairly. In response to my appeal, they published a letter stating that they had fired me. But then they should have specified under which article. In my opinion, there is no such article for dismissal — for posting a photo on Instagram. They say that I disseminated personal data and violated medical confidentiality, but I did not provide the patient’s passport details, and his face is not visible either."