Knock, knock.
-Who’s there?
A bad Joke.
-A bad Joke who?
A bad Joke who ruined your career and destroyed your reputation.
It’s no secret that some of the most popular and shareable content on the internet is humor. A joke, a meme, or a funny article is almost guaranteed to get those priceless likes. And, while humor can be incredibly valuable content, it can also be dangerous. What makes humor so special is its tendency to push boundaries and touch on subjects that may offend, but it’s that edgy quality that can be a reputational nightmare.
A joke that was funny in 1986 may be incredibly offensive today. A meme that you shared with your friends might set off a firestorm when you post it to your Facebook page. That funny thought you had while driving home from work may not be so funny when it’s reshared a thousand times to a wider audience than you ever intended.
Unfortunately, there are many real-world examples of the devastating consequences that one bad joke can have. Justine Sacco, the former senior director of corporate communications at IAC, lost her job and was excoriated online for an offhand racist tweet that she thought was “just a joke.” Comedian Shane Gillis lost a dream job on Saturday Night Live when internet sleuths uncovered a podcast where he mocked Asian people. Filmmaker James Gunn was fired by Marvel when jokes he tweeted years prior surfaced, and he was labeled a pedophile.
We all need to be careful about what we post. Those digital funnies will live forever, even if you delete them. Anyone who lives in the public eye may fall victim to those who comb the internet for that one poorly timed joke or offensive quip. This is not only true for celebrities and public-facing leaders – businesses, managers or even salespeople can fall victim to their own shoddy attempts at comedy. What you may have thought was good for a fast chuckle, could get you a pink slip…or worse.
This is not to say, “don’t be funny,” just be aware of the risks any joke or humorous post presents. Also consider the longevity of your post – could this be interpreted badly five years down the road? Or ten? Or thirty? The old adage about posting to social media rings true – “if it gives you pause, don’t post it.” Many famous and powerful people have been brought down by a bad joke and a hasty trigger finger. So, take a moment to think about what you’re posting and how it could be perceived. Please, be funny, but be thoughtful and cautious. And, whatever you do, never say, “it was just a joke.”
This article was previously published on njbiz.com. To view it on that site, please click here.
PHOTO: PIXABAY
