Reputation.com Blog recently found this story of an employee allegedly taking a sick day and then getting caught playing hookie on Facebook. This is not the first time that Facebook updates have hindered professional development, as bosses, teachers and hiring managers are increasingly connected to the social networking scene.

An Oz call centre employee has become an overnight net celeb down under after an email exchange between him and his firm’s workforce manager regarding a “sickie” escaped into the wild yesterday.

The correspondence, currently doing the rounds of Aussie inboxes, concerns a day’s leave of absence claimed by Kyle Doyle on 21 August.

From: Niresh Regmi
Sent: Wednesday, 27 August 2008 9:35 a.m.
To: Kyle Doyle
Subject: Absence on Thursday 21st 2008

Hi Kyle,
Please provide a medical certificate stating a valid reason for your sick leave on Thursday 21st 2008.
Thank You

NIRESH REGMI
Real Time Manager, Workforce Operations

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From: Kyle Doyle
Sent: Wednesday, 27 August 2008 9:38 a.m.
To: Niresh Regmi
Subject: RE: Absence on Thursday 21st 2008

Niresh,
1 day leave absences do not require a medical certificate as stated in my contract, provided I have stated that I am on leave for medical reasons.
Thanks
Regards,

Kyle Doyle
Resolutions Expert – Technical

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From: Niresh Regmi
Sent: Wednesday, 27 August 2008 9:39 a.m.
To: Kyle Doyle
Subject: RE: Absence on Thursday 21st 2008

Hi Kyle,
Usually that is the case, as per your contract. However please note that leave during these occasions is only granted for genuine medical reasons. You line manager has determined that your leave was not due to medical reasons and as such we cannot grant leave on this occasion.

NIRESH REGMI

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From: Kyle Doyle
Sent: Wednesday, 27 August 2008 9:43 a.m.
To: Niresh Regmi
Subject: RE: Absence on Thursday 21st 2008

Hi Niresh,
My leave was due to medical reasons, so you cannot deny leave based on a line manager’s discretion, with no proof, please process leave as requested.
Thanks
Regards,

Kyle Doyle

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From: Niresh Regmi
Sent: Wednesday, 27 August 2008 9:50 a.m.
To: Kyle Doyle
Subject: RE: Absence on Thursday 21st 2008

Hi Kyle,
I believe the proof that you are after is below

Brilliant. To his credit, the busted Doyle concludes:

From: Kyle Doyle
Sent: Wednesday, 27 August 2008 9:55 a.m.
To: Niresh Regmi
Subject: RE: Absence on Thursday 21st 2008

HAHAHA LMAO epic fail
No worries man
Regards,

Kyle Doyle

Reputation.com first noticed this story on Digg, where it was noted in the comments that the tale of social networking shenanigans was likely a fake.

After appearing in newspapers, websites and televisions around the world, the matter appeared to be approaching its 15-minute use-by date – until AAPT issued a statement claiming it was bogus.

“Following an investigation into AAPT’s email records, we can confirm the email exchange between two of our employees … never occurred,” the telco said in a statement.

“This issue will continue to be dealt with internally, as a matter of standard company process.”

A company spokeswoman would not elaborate on any theories about how the alleged email exchange became public or could have been created.

The latest developments, however, will create speculation that the exchange was cooked up by trouble-seeking colleagues of Mr Doyle and his boss.

Meanwhile, Mr Doyle, who lists his political views as “Liberal Party of Australia”, has been uncontactable and AAPT staff were ordered not to discuss their most famous colleague.

However his incriminating Facebook page now lists his status as “trying to hide :/.” It has also been innundated with messages of support – including 175 personal messages.

Even if these messages are forgeries, the point still applies that one’s actions on the internet can affect one’s real world reputation and underscores the point that proactively controling online identity is necessary in the wired world.