|
When Social Media And The Workplace Collide
By Michael Brito
Expert Author
Article Date: 2011-10-17
Managing employee's use of social media is certainly a tricky area that employers are dealing with today. According to a recent study by DLA Piper, one third of employers have disciplined employees for something posted on a social media site. The research also found that 21% or employers had to give their employees a warning for posting something derogatory about a colleague or about the business itself. Despite this only a quarter of the businesses within the study have a social media policy. That, in itself, is a huge problem. Other findings in the study include:
Of employees who use social media for personal use:
- 14% have posted a status update or tweeted about work issues
- 22% posted a status update or tweeted about a colleague
- 28% have posted photos of colleagues or business activities
- 1% have posted confidential business information
- 39% have befriended a colleague or business contact in Facebook
- 39% have connected to a colleague or business contact on LinkedIn
The study also reveals that the use of social media is landing employees in hot water:
- 21% of employers have taken disciplinary proceedings because of information an employee has displayed on a social media site about another employee
- 25% of employers have taken disciplinary proceedings because of information an employee has displayed on a social media site about their activities at work
- 31% of employers have taken disciplinary proceedings because of information an employee has displayed on a social media site about the organization
- 30% of employers have taken disciplinary proceedings because of the level of usage of social media sites while at work
The key takeaway of this study is clear. Having a social media policy is no longer an option. It's a business imperative.
Comments
About the Author:
Michael Brito is the Vice President of Social Media at Edelman Digital. His previous employers include HP, Yahoo!, and Intel where he was responsible for driving consumer social media strategies and programs. You can follow him on Twitter or check out his social media blog.
|
|
