Educating Your Employees about Social Media is Crucial to Managing its Risks

As social media continues to grow, it is becoming more entrenched in the workplace. With these developing communications channels and the extensive usage of mobile technology, there is a new generation of workers who communicate differently presenting employers with new challenges.

Although, social media presents a number of opportunities to connect both internally and externally, there are also multi layered issues which employers need to manage. The blurring of the lines between personal and professional is a key element in the management of social media in the workplace. Whether it is offensive comments, bullying or negative publicity, these all have impacts on organisations. Because of social media, colleagues and friends are all mixed in a variety of networks where individuals share photos, comments and content.

How an employer manages social media is crucial. Education on social media, its risks, employer’s expectations are vital for a business. Here employers need to be proactive. Things to consider for the employer:

Understand Social Media:

Social media is a mystery to many leaders and managers who still don’t ‘get’ social media. Employers need to educate themselves about social media, the technology and the consequences. They need to be practical, positive and find solutions. If they need assistance they need to find it.

Social Media Policy:

All organisations whether large or small with a handful of employees need a social media policy. A policy places restrictions and guidelines in place around usage and employer expectations of social media. Without this there are no boundaries for employees. Gone are the days when an employee can say something about the employer and it remains private. If it is on social media it is public.

Partnership Between Employers and Employees:

Working together with employees is crucial to making sure the social media policy is effective. When an employee understands the reason for the policy and accepts it they are more likely to abide by it. This is more valuable than simply providing a list of what employees can’t do on social media. Education and training form part of this element.

The impact of social media on workplaces will only continue to grow as social media usage increases. Risk management of these issues is crucial in making sure that organisations minimise their risks where social media is concerned. Education is only one part of an overall comprehensive approach. It is so important for employers to bring their employees on board and work together. This way everyone is on the same page which benefits all involved.

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Tags: blurring of personal and professional lives • Social Media Policy • Social Media Risks