When Work and Personal Life Overlap: Protecting Your Boundaries Online
Technology makes it easier than ever to stay connected, but it can also blur the boundaries between our personal and professional lives. For SAFA members, this creates two important considerations: how much access should work have to your personal devices and time, and when can your personal online activities become a workplace issue?Understanding these boundaries can help protect your privacy, professional reputation, and workplace rights.
When Work Enters Your Personal Space
Using your personal phone or email for SAIT business might seem convenient, but it can create unnecessary complications. SAFA encourages members to maintain clear boundaries:
- Keep student communications professional. Avoid giving students your personal phone number or email address. Use official SAIT channels such as Teams, Brightspace, or SAIT email.
- Protect your personal time. Using personal devices for work can create expectations that you’re available outside regular working hours. You should not feel obligated to remain constantly connected.
- Understand what you’re installing. SAIT applications may require additional security settings or device-management permissions. Before installing work-related applications on personal devices, understand the requirements and ask about alternatives, including physical employee ID cards.
When Personal Online Activity Becomes a Workplace Issue
What you post or share online outside working hours can sometimes have workplace implications. SAIT’s Social Media Policy and Procedure (ER 1.2 and ER 1.2.1) may apply when personal posts identify you as a SAIT employee or discuss institutional matters. Similarly, interactions with coworkers in private group chats, Facebook groups, or other online forums may fall under SAIT’s Respectful Workplace policy (HR 4.10).
A few precautions are worth remembering in these situations:
- DO distinguish your personal opinions from official SAIT positions.
- DO protect confidential student, employee, and institutional information.
- DON’T share screenshots of internal emails, Teams conversations, or confidential workplace communications without appropriate authorization.
- DON’T assume private online conversations will remain confidential.
However, being a SAIT employee does not mean giving up your right to discuss workplace concerns. Members can still question institutional decisions, advocate for better working conditions, and participate in legitimate union activities. Section 5.02 of our Collective Agreement protects members from discrimination or coercion related to union activity. If SAIT raises concerns about your personal communications or online activity, contact SAFA for support. If you have questions about social media use, contact SAIT’s Communications Department for more information.
In Solidarity,
Craig Coolahan
SAFA Labour Relations Officer
_________________________________________________________
SAFA Social
Mark your calendars and come join your colleagues!
Where: Loco Lou’s, 1324 16th Ave NW, Calgary
When: November 17, 4:00pm-7:30pm
This member-only event will include free appetizers and 2 drink tickets per attendee. Cash bar and complimentary taxi chits will be available at the event.
Still need to pick up a t-shirt? You can stop by the SAFA Office (NN201) during regular business hours. You can also pick up a SAFA Raven pin!