Tech

Should you message your boss on Facebook?

Published

3 years ago

August 17, 2022

A U.S. court has ruled it acceptable for employees to use social media messaging platforms to send workplace requests to employers.

A unanimous ruling at a Virginia Court found that a worker who used Facebook Messenger to seek emergency medical leave from their employer was well within their rights to do.

This is despite it contravening company policy.

The matter was escalated to court when the employer refused to accept this form of communication, and later fired to employee for job abandonment.

On appeal, the court found that the employee had used Facebook Messenger in the past to communicate with their employer about workplace matters.

This established a mode of communication as both acceptable and relevant on this platform.

The original policy denying the use of Facebook Messenger as an official form of communication was overturned.

The outcome of this case has set an interesting precedent in terms of internal communication policies and procedures within workplaces.

Some workplaces already use Facebook’s Workplace platform as an official internal collaborative space, where it is acceptable for employees and employers to communicate.

However, other organisations have what could be described as official and unofficial communication channels.

Official and unofficial channels

Organisational policies, procedures and processes may clearly state what the official channels are (e.g. email) when employees are communicating with employers.

This can be in relation to confidential matters and issues relating to their employment, such as applying for sick leave.

However, they can fail to capture the everyday ‘unofficial’ communication taking place on social media channels between employers and employees.

The outcome of this ruling sends a clear message to employers about responding to employees via ‘unofficial’ social media channels like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp.

This recent decision has proven that social media can be considered as official in the eyes of the law. It’s most likely going to become a more common channel as the world of social media continues to grow.

Internal policies must be reflective of the communication channels being used within organisations or employers must adhere to their own policies to ensure they are also upheld by the entire workplace.

Report by Dr. Karen Sutherland, University of the Sunshine Coast and Dharana Digital

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Dr Karen Sutherland

Dr Karen Sutherland is a Senior Lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast where she designs and delivers social media education and research. Dr Sutherland is also the Co-Founder and Social Media Specialist at Dharana Digital marketing agency focused on helping people working in the health and wellness space.

Tech

OpenAI releases GPT-5.1 with enhanced conversational features

OpenAI launches GPT-5.1, enhancing ChatGPT with personality controls and improved conversational abilities for paid users

Published

1 week ago

November 13, 2025

Ahron Young

OpenAI launches GPT-5.1, enhancing ChatGPT with personality controls and improved conversational abilities for paid users

In Short:
– OpenAI launched GPT-5.1 with two models to improve ChatGPT’s conversation and user control.
– The update, initially for paid users, addresses prior complaints and introduces adaptive reasoning and personality presets.

OpenAI launched GPT-5.1 today, featuring two upgraded models aimed at enhancing ChatGPT’s conversational abilities and providing users better control over its personality.The update started rolling out to paid subscribers on November 12, introducing GPT-5.1 Instant and GPT-5.1 Thinking, both designed to address complaints regarding the original GPT-5 release in August.

GPT-5.1 Instant is said to be “warmer by default and more conversational,” with early testers noting its playfulness while remaining clear and useful.

The launch follows a backlash from users after GPT-5’s release, who criticized its “colder” tone and the removal of previous models like GPT-4o. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, admitted that discontinuing GPT-4o “was a mistake” and acknowledged the emotional attachment users had to specific models.

Adaptive Reasoning

GPT-5.1 Instant introduces adaptive reasoning, which helps it determine when to “think before responding” to complex questions.

This leads to marked improvements in mathematical and coding tasks. GPT-5.1 Thinking adjusts processing time based on the task, resulting in clearer explanations and improved ease of use for various tasks.

The new version includes six personality presets, allowing users to tailor interactions. OpenAI aims for the model to integrate cognitive and emotional intelligence effectively.

For now, the rollout is for paid users, with free access occurring soon. Both models will be available via API, and legacy models will remain accessible for three months.

Tech

Apple postpones iPhone Air sequel due to poor sales

Apple delays iPhone Air 2 indefinitely after lacklustre sales of first model

Published

2 weeks ago

November 11, 2025

Ahron Young

Apple delays iPhone Air 2 indefinitely after lacklustre sales of first model

In Short:
– Apple has postponed the iPhone Air’s launch due to poor sales of the current model.
– Production of the iPhone Air will stop, with Foxconn and Luxshare ceasing manufacturing by November and October respectively.

Apple has delayed the launch of its second-generation iPhone Air, which was scheduled for fall 2026, due to disappointing sales of the current model that debuted two months ago, as reported by The Information.Engineers and suppliers have been informed that the iPhone Air will be removed from the production schedule without a new release date.

The decision coincides with a significant reduction in the production of the existing model. Foxconn is expected to cease all manufacturing by the end of November, while Luxshare will stop production by the end of October.

Sales for the iPhone Air have not met Apple’s expectations since its launch in September. Foxconn has limited its production lines for the device, and future orders are projected to decrease significantly. A survey indicated nearly no demand for the iPhone Air, with consumers instead choosing the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models.

Production Challenges

The underperformance of the iPhone Air continues a trend of failed attempts by Apple to add a fourth model to its lineup.

The iPhone mini was previously discontinued after poor sales, followed by the larger Plus models, which faced similar challenges.

Apple had intended to develop a lighter second-generation iPhone Air with improved specifications but may now reconsider its design approach. The company also has plans for a staggered launch of the iPhone 18 lineup set for 2026 and early 2027.

Tech

Tech giants’ $47 billion AI infrastructure deals announced

Tech giants commit $47.7 billion to AI deals as demand for computing power soars and market diverges

Published

3 weeks ago

November 4, 2025

Ahron Young

Tech giants commit $47.7 billion to AI deals as demand for computing power soars and market diverges

In Short:
– Wall Street started November mixed as AI deals boosted tech stocks, especially Amazon’s share price after a major agreement.
– OpenAI plans $1.4 trillion investment for computing resources, with Big Tech predicting over $250 billion AI infrastructure spending this year.

Wall Street began the month with mixed performances as major artificial intelligence deals influenced tech stocks positively, while broader market indices diverged.

Amazon’s shares rose over 5% following a significant $38 billion cloud services agreement with OpenAI, contributing to gains for the Nasdaq despite a decline in the Dow.The seven-year collaboration with Amazon Web Services marks OpenAI’s first major partnership with AWS, offering access to Nvidia graphics processing units essential for its AI expansion.

Amazon commented on the soaring demand for computing power resulting from rapid AI advancements, aiming for full capacity deployment by the end of 2026.

Microsoft also sealed a $9.7 billion agreement with IREN, highlighting the industry’s insatiable need for cloud capacity.

The collaborations depict Big Tech’s ongoing commitment to AI infrastructure, with significant investments aimed at catering to the escalating demand for computing resources.

Investment Perspective

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed intentions to invest $1.4 trillion to create 30 gigawatts of computing resources.

Major players, including Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta, have adjusted their capital expenditure forecasts for 2025, anticipating AI infrastructure spending to surpass $250 billion this year.

Despite market caution regarding inflated valuations, analysts remain optimistic about growth in the sector. Even amidst fears of an AI bubble, industry leaders assert ongoing investments will continue to bolster market performance through 2026.