Performance Appraisal Include FB's comments?

What is performance appraisal? Isn't it a appraisal for an employee's performance, work performance review or a career development discussion?

Performance appraisal is an analysis of an employee's recent successes and failures, personal strengths and weaknesses, and suitability for promotion or further training. (Extracted from Wikipedia)

Recently in my ex-colleague's facebook, some of his/her friends posted some comments in it. And his/her colleague advice her not to have such comments in his/her facebook as someone might saw and tell his/her boss. And this might affect his/her performance appraisal.

Situation:
He/She was very sick yet have to go back to work and unable to see doctor because of work. Hence his/her friend posted in his/her facebook commenting him/her to see doctor and don't bother about the work because health is more important than anything else. They also commented that some people are selfish and think of work only. So he/she should take care of her health instead of the work.

The next day, someone at his/her workplace came and advice him/her to tell his/her friend not to post such comments in his/her facebook coz it might affect his/her performance appraisal.


After hearing this, I am thinking. Have facebook become part of an employee's performance appraisal? Isn't performance appraisal about an employee's work performance instead of personal matters?

What is facebook? Facebook is a place where people get to know friends and a place to keep each other connected right? Facebook is a place where people can post personal feelings/comments in it right?

Haiz.... What is wrong here? People treating facebook as part of a performance appraisal? It is not as if the people are posting comments during office hour. This is ridiculous. OMG!