Guide to social media use at work

Acas has issued some advice aimed at ending confusion on employee Facebook and Twitter use and to help employers manage social media policies as the use at work of sites such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn increases rapidly.

Acas said that 55% of workers now use these sites at work, either on computers or mobile phones, but many staff are looking at their personal web pages instead of working, and some are posting derogatory comments about their employer or colleagues, or buying and selling online.  Since everything on the internet should be regarded as public, the potential for problems is great.

If a company checks on employees’ use of the internet and social media, what is done and why should be made clear to the staff.  For example, a manager would not hear an employee talking to friends at home about their day at work, and just because this is now possible online it should not necessarily be done.

The contents of any Social Media Policy should be clear to employees – what can and cannot be done, and the consequences of breaching the policy, which should become part of the contract of employment.

Some employers have already issued their own Social Media Policies, and Hardwick HR can provide one for you.   It is important to review and amend such policies since the technology and its use are evolving quickly.

The Acas information can be found here.