Personal Social Media Brand

'Open to Work' ... LinkedIn's favorite feature stemming from the Covid Pandemic, has helped millions of jobseekers connect with potential employers and passively inform their network that they are available.

I am possibly one of LI's top fans, having benefited as an HR professional from what is arguably the most powerful engine in intelligence and consistent upgrades, connecting recruiters with job seekers through THE smartest, most advanced algorithm ever (in my humble opinion).

I am an avid life-long researcher on company values and corporate culture, as they pertain to employee engagement, retention and attraction... I'd like to hereby ask the question... what does claiming 'Open to Work' say about an employee, when gainfully employed and in good standing? When is it Ok?

Supposing the employer is doing all the right things from an HR perspective (proper compensation proposition, thorough performance appraisal, visibility on career ladders, healthy working conditions, timely payroll, etc). Is it acceptable to state open to work SO publicly before resigning? If so, how is this respectful to the relationship both parties have put time and effort into? Is it not similar to a married person posting an ad. on Tinder or Bumble, as a comparison?

Of course, once an employee decides to make such a public statement, from my perspective, the relationship between him/her and the organization is severed beyond repair. If employer and HR representation have been fair and invested in an employee, is it not in poor taste, then, to publicly inform the world that you are ready to move on, without an internal discussion as to your aspirations and intents?

While there are sometimes underlying factors for people to make such public statements on professional networks, I hope to gather your input and hopefully encourage a dialogue around loyalty, discretion, and the importance of owning our brand as professionals on social media. Social Media policies are designed to guide employees and set parameters of legal expectations and restrictions, yet much of our online behavior is reflective of our values, and how much importance we place on our personal brand. Which, as everything else in life, is very, very relative. And, delicate.