With More Social Media Comes Great Responsibility

Social media has taken the world by storm and developed into an unbelievable method of communication. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram etc. have expanded our approach to sharing thoughts, ideas, opinions, blogs, videos, and photos. These resources allow us to stay updated through a push of a button and get connected with one another in new ways. Businesses are starting to take advantage of these platforms to connect with customers and get real-time thoughts and opinions about their company and their employees. As Social Media redefines the future of business, savvy employers are staying ahead of the game by adding the specifics about Social Media use to job positions and procedure manuals.
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Younger workers are most likely going to have their own Social Media accounts that allow them to connect with their own friends and family and they will be very comfortable translating this over to their work life. Developing your expectations regarding when and how Social Media can be used in the workplace is a must. Unmonitored Social Media use can result in an unfocused workplace and declining productivity. The language of Social Media is also very different and should be considered. Should the use of jargon which is becoming more and more embedded in today's social culture, phrases like "omg" (Oh My Gosh), "lol" (Laugh Out Loud), "nbd" (No Big Deal) be used in the workplace? Some may argue it is appropriate to be current and fully connected, others may argue it is unprofessional. How about sharing photos with peers and customers? What about the type of content your employees may be posting for example to company Facebook pages? Should Social Media usage be tracked? Have you updated your employee policy manuals with respect to Social Media recently? With your employees connecting with potential customers or each other on these various platforms, it's critical to establish your expectations along with procedures surrounding appropriate use.

As Social Media continues to change the way we communicate, remember to customize your policies to fit with your company's potentially changing goals and objectives. Staying on top of your employee policies and update your books may be a daunting task. Need assistance with revising an existing or developing an employee policy manual? Clear Path can help! Check out our workshops for more details or give us a call to discuss your specific questions.

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