Social Media and the Workplace
Social media is part of every day life and it’s how people communicate to friends and family and in fact around the world. It’s important to create guidelines for employees on how and when it’s acceptable in the workplace. If they can, employees will access the internet during the day and use whatever venue they can to engage with the outside world. Do you have a social media policy?
If you think it’s not important, here are some of the concerns around not having a formal social media policy. “Social media in the workplace: Seven mistakes companies make” by Mark Stein on the Miami Herald.
Whether from their own devices or company computers, most employees use social media at work — with or without permission. This could mean trouble and be very expensive for a company that does not take the right steps.
We know that one tweet can go viral and could potentially impact your business. So how do you want to use social media to your benefit and still protect your brand? What happens when an employee on their lunch break uses their own phone to create a tweet about you or the company?
How can you set the foundation for respectful use of social media by your employees?
Take time to reflect on your environment, how does the company use social media, have you spoken to your employee about use of it, have you encountered issues with it’s use in your workplace and what message do you want to give to your employees.
Some companies will not allow any social media, others feel comfortable as long as the company’s information and brand is protected. Where do you stand? Wherever you stand, make sure you create a policy and communicate it to your employees in several different ways.
Be well,
Pat
