Is it okay to delete a work colleague from Facebook?

Dear Aunty B,

I work for a telemarketing firm and get along with all of my co-workers well. We’re a close knit bunch and we’re all Facebook friends, LinkedIn buddies and Instagram pals.

But lately one of my colleague’s Facebook posts are getting on my nerves. There are only so many ranty posts about the government, media or society in general that I want to see showing up in my news feed.

How can I delete this person from my social networks without causing a fuss at work?

Fed up,

Sydney

Dear Fed up,

Mixing business and pleasure has always been a potential minefield, and social media platforms make it even trickier.

Personally, I like to separate out my social networks. Twitter and LinkedIn are for work connections, while Facebook (and Instagram, if I ever get there) is for close friends and family. That way I know I’m not annoying my colleagues with photos of my pets , and I’m not annoying my friends with all of my professional conversations.

Before you go the whole hog and delete your colleague, consider using some of Facebook’s neat features that allow you to choose who and what you see in your news feed. It could save you some grief at work. You can also choose who you want to see your posts by changing your privacy settings.

If you choose to bite the bullet and delete your colleague entirely, be prepared to tell them why. Stand firm and explain why you would prefer to keep at least some of your work and private lives separate.

Be Smart,

Aunty B