Facebook Use Lands Dallas Workers In Trouble

DALLAS (AP)  - Constantly checking Facebook at work may get you in trouble.

Two dozen Dallas City Hall workers received reprimands or counseling after a recent probe showed they spent too much time on the social networking site.

"It's [Facebook at work] definitely on the 'bad idea' side," said Dallas attorney Travis Crabtree. "You hear lots of horror stories out there about employees posting things about how they're either playing hooky, or just fiddling around while they're at the office and getting in trouble for it when their boss sees it."

City officials are working on new employee guidelines for social media use. Dallas City Manager Mary Suhm says employees aren't allowed to do personal business when they're being paid by taxpayers.

"Computer equipment belongs to the company and technically your time belongs to the company too, while you're there," said Crabtree.

Cesar Baptista, an assistant director in the water department, had Facebook open for 68 hours during a three-month period. But Baptista said he often opened his Facebook page in the morning and didn't close it while he did other things. He says he no longer opens the site at work.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)