Line drawn on online posts

Several respondents said they had been appalled by a colleague or boss' social media posts. Photo / Getty Images

Be careful what you say on Facebook, particularly if it's about work or your professional colleagues.

That's the general consensus on the Northern Advocate's Facebook page in response to a survey in which more than three-quarters of participants said they would never invite their boss to be a friend on Facebook or other social media sites.

The survey of about 600 Australian workers, by global staffing firm Adecco, showed many Australians were choosing not to befriend their boss or colleagues on social media for fear their comments could be used against them.

And, 21 per cent said they would not befriend workmates.

The results appear to be similar among Advocate Facebook readers who responded to our post.

"Never, ever, ever, put anything on any form of social media that you would not be prepared to have published on the front page of your local or national newspaper," said Heather Carthew.

"I never post work stuff on Facebook. It's for social stuff, not to have a moan about people or work," Leanne Ross said.

Wanting to keep work and personal lives separate and fears of saying something embarrassing were two common explanations, according to the Adecco survey.

In a surprising finding, the more digitally savvy generation Y workers were the least likely to invite their boss to be a friend on social media.

Fears their opinions and posts could affect their career prospects and concerns of being caught having time out with family or friends while on a sick day, were two of their biggest explanations.

One in four respondents said they had been appalled by a colleague or boss' social media posts.

And 1.6 million workers had regretted having colleagues as Facebook friends because of opinionated comments, racial slurs, and having information from posts used against them at work.

"The survey is an interesting insight into the changing workplace dynamics between co-workers, with social media now having a major impact on how relationships and opinions are formed, both with our friends and our colleagues," said Lindsey Monroe Ruth, Head of Marketing at the Adecco Group Australia & New Zealand.

- If you have any business news or tips contact: biz@northernadvocate.co.nz or call 09 470 2838.