It’s not just students that are getting in trouble for having Facebook accounts — one teacher’s aide says she was fired from her elementary school for refusing to hand over the password to her social networking account. The teacher is now embroiled in a legal battle with her former employers.

ZDNet.com says the trouble started in April 2011, when the Michigan woman was using Facebook on her own time, not at school. She posted a picture of a co-worker’s pants around her ankles and a pair of shoes, with the caption “Thinking of you.” Unfortunately, a Facebook friend of hers is also a parent and complained to the school.

The school district’s superintendent then asked the teacher’s aide for access to her Facebook account several times, and was denied each time.

He then wrote her a letter, which said in part that since she wouldn’t give access, “we will assume the worst and act accordingly.” She was placed on paid administrative leave and eventually suspended. She took unpaid leave to claim workman’s compensation and is fighting back.

“I stand by it,” she says in a statement. “I did nothing wrong. And I would not, still to this day, let them in my Facebook. And I don’t think it’s OK for an employer to ask you.”

The two parties are scheduled for arbitration in May. Although it’s not currently illegal for employers to ask for access to Facebook accounts, Facebook itself does not approve of such pressure and has decried the practice. Her state representatives have vowed to include her story as part of House Bill 5523, which would make it illegal in Michigan for employers to sk for such information.

*Thanks for the heads up, Eric!

Previously: Senators Call For Investigation Into Employers Asking For Facebook Access

Teacher’s aide fired for refusing to hand over Facebook password [ZDNet.com]

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