BG Group employee John Flexman created his LinkedIn profile last year, uploaded his CV, ticked the “interested in career opportunities” checkbox, and soon after was told by his manager to remove his cv, accused of using social media inappropriately and ordered to attend a disciplinary meeting.

Thirty-four year old Flexman, who was in charge of human resources at BG Group, also stated on his LinkedIn profile that one of his accomplishments was reducing attrition at the gas exploration company, which BG claims was confidential.  Flexman maintains the company objected to his LinkedIn profile because he was job seeking.

BG employee John Flexman told to remove his cv from LinkedIn

However, dozens of other BG employees currently have their profile on LinkedIn and a company spokesperson said they do not have a policy forbidding employees to post their resumes on LinkedIn, or on any other website.  The BG spokesman explained why it objected to Flexman’s LinkedIn profile: “We believe certain details in the CV were sensitive and we asked that they be removed.”

The social media age has increased the conflict between employees interested in playing the field and employers who may object to company details made public to the entire virtual world.  And this would seem to be what got Mr. Flexman into an uncomfortable situation with his former employer. Flexman resigned his position in June, and just this past October found another job with a new company.

About David John Walker

Dave has a B.A. in Mathematics, loves writing and reading about the latest developments in technology and social media, and has been working as a freelance writer for five years.