7 Workplace Scandals That Social Media Screening Could Have Prevented in June 2025

June’s workplace misconduct scandals weren’t quietly handled behind HR doors—they played out in real time, online, for millions to see. Headlines include a nurse casually livestreamed her shift while making medication errors and joking about patients.

These stories—and the outrage that followed—were fueled by TikToks, Instagram stories, court filings, and social posts that spread like wildfire. One by one, institutions were forced to confront the misconduct they'd either ignored, enabled, or failed to prevent. The result? Another month of headlines that prove no workplace is safe from public accountability—and no behavior is off the record when it’s captured online.

7 Workplace Misconduct Scandals on Social Media

1. When Social Media Crosses the Line: A Wake-Up Call for Nursing Professionalism

“Yazz Scott, a newly licensed nurse, was livestreaming herself during her shift at a nursing home. Viewers watched as she administered medications, [talked about] patients aloud, and even made a documented medication error—all while reading and responding to live comments. The video, filled with unprofessional conduct, potential HIPAA violations, and improper clinical technique, quickly went viral for all the wrong reasons.” (1Nurse) 

2. Police officer banned for 'vulgar' comments

A male police officer engaged in inappropriate behaviour repeatedly towards female colleagues. The police officer made "highly offensive" and "vulgar" comments as well as initiating unwanted contact through social media, with his behaviour deemed "derogatory" and "harassing in nature.” The police constable said in a statement, [the officer’s] "actions were highly unprofessional and undoubtedly made his female colleagues feel deeply uncomfortable and such behaviour will not be tolerated." (BBC)

3. Henrico High School track coach fired after inappropriate social media messages to student circulate

“Henrico County Public Schools officials fired Henrico High School track coach Jourdan Davis-DeWitt June 2, after posts circulating on social media showed inappropriate messages sent from a social media account under Davis-DeWitt’s name to an underage student…

In a June 2 social media post, an account under the name of parent Rodney Butler showed messages purportedly sent through Instagram Direct Message from the account in Davis-DeWitt’s name to Butler’s daughter, a 16-year-old student at Manchester High School in Chesterfield.

In the messages, the account in Davis-DeWitt’s name responds to an Instagram story Butler’s daughter posted of herself with the comments, ‘Tryna be grown’ and ‘I actually almost said sum else I stopped myself.’ The account in Davis-DeWitt’s name later messaged the student, ‘When you turn 18 and if you’re single hit me.’” (Henrico Citizen) 

4. Gary Lineker agrees deal with new broadcaster after controversial BBC exit

“Lineker was set to cover the 2025-26 FA Cup and 2026 World Cup for the BBC but he left early over his use of an alleged anti-Semitic rat emoji.

He shared a social media post about Zionism that included an emoji of a rat – with images of the rodent historically used as an anti-Semitic insult.

Lineker insisted he did not see the rat emoji when he shared the post and said he ‘would never consciously repost anything anti-Semitic’.” (Metro UK) 

5. Clewiston's new director Jorge Soto faces charges for online misconduct

“Jorge Soto, the newly hired director of operations for the City of Clewiston, is facing serious allegations. Soto, 45, is accused of having inappropriate communications online with a minor.” (WINK)

6 & 7. Fama Findings: Misconduct in the Wild

Beyond the headlines, we’ve seen a number of candidates flagged for troubling past behavior uncovered during online screening, further proving that misconduct isn’t always visible on a resume.

• An EMT was caught on surveillance footage stealing an ambulance and crashing it during a hit-and-run incident.
• A corporate executive allegedly forced a junior employee to sing “Milkshake” at a company gathering

Prevent the Next Headline with Social Media Screening

In an era where a single clip, post, or DM can trigger a viral reckoning, employers can’t afford to stay reactive. The impact of online behavior in the workplace is real, and the consequences can’t be ignored. These headlines as well as those discussed in our #9to5Nightmares podcast aren’t just cautionary tales; they’re signals of what happens when misconduct goes unchecked.

Every scandal in this month’s roundup shares a common thread: public online behavior that could’ve been detected—and addressed—before it spiraled into viral damage. While resumes and interviews reveal what someone wants you to see, social media screening offers insight into who they really are. It exposes patterns of risk, inappropriate conduct, and values misalignment that traditional background checks often miss.

That’s where Fama comes in. As the leader in AI-powered social media screening, Fama helps employers surface red flags across thousands of public online sources—Facebook, X, TikTok, Instagram, and beyond—before they become reputation-shattering headlines. Whether you're hiring a new nurse, onboarding a public-facing executive, or screening employees in high-trust roles, Fama fills in the gaps that conventional vetting tools leave behind.

Because in 2025, you’re not just hiring for skills—you’re hiring for trust. Let’s make sure it’s well-placed.

Book a demo today to learn how Fama helps organizations screen fairly, stay compliant, and get ahead of risk before it makes the news.