Know The Law: Social Media and Your Dental Team Inna Koldorf is a partner at Miller Thomson LLP in Toronto. Her work includes helping employers to manage their workforce, provide advice, represent employers in litigation and conduct workplace investigations. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions and official policies of CDA. “Over the last ten years, the separation between work life and home life has been blurred by social media,” says Inna Koldorf. “Employees assume that because they’re online outside of working hours, they can say whatever they want, but that’s not the case.” From posting confidential information to criticizing office managers or even patients, the risks of inappropriate social media use by staff can range from reputational harm to breaches of privacy. For dental practice leaders, it’s important to know how to prevent problems and what to do if they occur. On-Duty vs. Off-Duty Conduct Koldorf stresses the importance of distinguishing between what staff do online during working hours and what they post on their own time. On-duty misconduct is often straightforward. Employees may spend time scrolling, posting or even running “side hustles” on social media platforms when they should be focused on their work and on patients. “The question for employers,” Koldorf says, “is whether that conduct breaches the employment agreement, workplace policies, or the basic obligations of the employment relationship. If it does, discipline is justified—just like with any other form of misconduct that takes place during work hours.” Off-duty behaviour, however, is more complex. “We get asked quite often: Is there anything I can do about what my employee posts online in their personal time? The answer is actually yes,” Koldorf explains. “Sometimes off-duty behaviour on social media may justify discipline, when certain conditions are met. The central issue is whether there is a clear and meaningful connection between the off-duty conduct and the workplace, and whether it causes harm or potential harm to the business.” Real-World Consequences Koldorf has seen numerous examples where employees’ online activity outside of work hours had serious professional repercussions. Staff have vented about their frustrations on Facebook, thinking only their friends would see it, but employers and patients often come across such posts. Others have shared confidential financial From off-duty posts to on-the-clock scrolling, discover how social media use by your dental office staff could put your practice at risk and what employers need to know to stay protected. 32 | 2026 | Issue 1
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