How Employers can Manage Social Media Risks

As an employer, how prepared are you to deal with the difficulties and complexities of social media?

Social media is becoming increasingly popular in the business world as businesses look for new opportunities to connect, publicise their message and promote their brand. As the usage of hand held devices grows, immediate responses become more important as individuals want instant information.

Whether social media impacts your organisation through internal or external sources, each has its own unique set of challenges and difficulties.

Social media complexities are widespread and far reaching. There is no one fits all approach to managing social media risks. However, a proactive approach which incorporates a number of strategies is the most effective way to managing social media.

A beneficial approach includes the following:

• Conduct a social media risk audit. This will assist in determining what your social media risks are likely to be and where they will come from.
• Does your workplace have a social media policy? This really is a must and would have been an outcome of the social media risk audit if you don’t have a policy. A policy helps to set parameters around what is acceptable / not acceptable comments and behaviour.
• Avoid mandatory and rigid language when writing policies and procedures. This only alienates employees as social media is such a part of their daily lives.
• Better still include employees as part of the development process of the social media policy. Work with them so that there is a ‘win-win’ for all.
• Include the social media policy as part of a HR Management strategy. Have discipline and termination procedures. A policy without consequences is not likely to be very effective.
• Make sure the employees are aware of these procedures and they sign off on it.
• Have social media training and education. It is essential that employers educate employees about what the organisation will accept. Just having a policy without having the employees understand it is a recipe for difficulties.
• Keep up to date and informed around technology changes, changes in the law and best working practices.
• Most importantly collaborate with employees on social media. They understand and use the technology and can provide the employer with insights they never imaged. Bring them with you as they are part of the solution of utilising social media effectively and safely.

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Tags: Managing Social Media • Minimising Social Media Risks • Social Media Education • social media in the workplace • Social Media Policy