How do you phrase it and how do they respond?
”How do you phrase it and how do they respond?”
Since I work in my company's HR department and manage payroll and compensation, I have a handy out. Even though it’s not against company policy, I typically say something like, “Thanks for the invitation and I really appreciate it, but given the sensitive nature of my job here at *, it is not really a “best practice” or good idea for either of us professionally.” And I’ve never gotten a negative reaction taking this route.
I’ve “freinded” or been “freinded” by some former-co-workers and depending on our past working relationship or if they are someone who I might want to contact if I’m networking for a new job or visa versa, sometimes I will accept. But I really try to keep the number of people on FB to a minimum.