Social media at the workplace

  

Social media

Social media refers to the means of interactions among people in which they create, share and exchange information and ideas at work or play.

Michael Haelein (2010:61) defines social media as a group of internet-based applications that build on ideological and technological foundations of web 2.0 and allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content.

Some employer policies discourage social media use for non business purposes and have software products that can block employee access to specific websites. While other employer policies want their employees to be able to have some personal use access during breaks, tea time for example.

Specific reference will be made to employer policies that allow their employees to have personal access to social media at work.

NLRB efforts to manage employers

In essence, the National Labour Relations Board (2012:229) will allow employers to implement policies that prohibit harassment, bullying, discrimination, forbid inappropriate postings such as threats of violence or discriminatory comments and instructing employees not to disclose trade secrets.

The Department of Justice Social Media Policy (2010:1) states the rules and regulations of employees having personal access to social media at work.

However, the employer policies of such companies do not aim to limit the expression of its individual employees or online activities. The employees are therefore, responsible for the content published in a personal capacity on any form of social media.

The Department of Justice Social Media Policy (2010:2) continues to state that :

• Employees should be polite and respectful to all people they interact with.
• Employees should adhere to the Terms of Use of the relevant social media website as well as copyright, privacy, defamation and the department’s Personal Information Policy.
• Employees
• Employees should not be the first to make an announcement, for example (unless given the opportunity to do so).
• Employees should not disclose any secure or confidential information.
　

According to the Social Media Policy (2010:2) companies that allow their employees access to social media should also have an Anti Bullying and Workplace Conflict Policy. The Anti Bulling and Workplace Conflict Policy apply online and in the physical workplace.

Workplace bullying and harassment include any inappropriate comments employees make online, even on their own private social networks.

The Anti Bullying and Workplace Conflict Policy states that all employees are expected to treat their colleagues with respect and dignity and must ensure their behaviour does not constitute to bullying or harassment.

Finally, the policy warns employees not to post material that may be offensive and infringe relevant online classification laws if it is pornographic, hateful, racist, sexist or abusive.

Given this information, it can clearly be seen that companies should hold their employees responsible for their individual activities on social media and it is the employee’s responsibility to know and understand their company policy. The company also has the responsibility to make sure that the employees are aware of the company policy implemented regarding social media.