Social Media Bans In The Workplace Or Workplace Social Media Training?

As reported in Saturdays ‘The Age‘ on December 15 by Clay Lucas it appears that an increasing number of workplaces are banning staff from accessing social media at work. “Social media facing bans in workplace agreements.” 

Workplace agreements are being established across Australia that are formally banning staff from accessing Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites.

It has been reported that these workplace agreements in general define social media as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Myspace and “all other internet sites whose function provides for social networking.

Some of these agreements specifically warn staff that any comments on social media that refer to their employment or personal life could result in disciplinary action that includes termination.

Additionally some agreements have banned social media activity during working hours unless done at the direction of a manager.

One area for concern for workers is the increasing amount of workplace bullying taking place via social media and how as employers they have a duty of care to protect their employees. The amount of employees making ‘sexual, racial, abusive, threatening and or intimidating comments is on the increase.

Upon reviewing the article by Clay Lucas it appears the majority of people that post such remarks who believe the remarks made are ‘semi’ private amongst their ‘freinds’ do not appreciate how the remarks can be shared by their ‘friends’ and instaneoulsy go viral not only in the workplace but globally.

Social media is no place for raising workplace grievances, yet people are feeling that this is an appropriate forum.

Overall employers must appreciate that not only is social media here to stay it is growing exponentially and with this growth workplace use by employees will increase whether it be used openly or in a clandestine manner with fake social media identities.

Open use of social media if used in an appropriate manner can be a benefit to an employer as it not only increases the awareness of the employees company which may in turn lead to increased sales but appropriate posts about the company or ‘positive’ work experiences can put the employer on a ‘pedestal’ amongst the employees social media ‘friends’ and or ‘followers’.

It is here that the employer must harness the employee as an overall ambassador of the company and embrace social media and ensure that the company has social media training available to all employees on a regular basis. Social media is evolving daily and training staff in the appropriate use must also be reviewed constantly and regularly updated and rolled out. Currency is the key to good social media training.

Social media training is perfect for hybrid delivery where it can be delivered partly in the classroom at induction and then regularly updated on-line with interactive online modules.

Banning social media in the workplace will only force its use underground and be far more harmful to the company and employees overall.

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