Social Media in the workplace- Policies and Ethics

Online social media applications have significant benefits when it comes to the corporate world.  Many companies are using these tools to connect with current customers, suppliers, stockholders and potential customers. When social media is used ethically, it offers companies the opportunity to run their business more efficiently, convey a company’s identity, and further monitor a continuous conversation about the company. 

Now that we have a basic understanding of the positive outcomes of using social media in the workplace, let’s look at the risks that are involved if this aspect in the workplace isn't properly managed. With the growing popularity of social media applications and websites such as Facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, etc.  It has become much more prevalent in the workplace for people to access these for personal use while on company time.  This is where ethics comes into play.  A company pays their employees to perform certain tasks, unless you are specifically supposed to be using these types of media to help the company, one is violating policies and performing undesirable behaviors.

According to Jason Lunday, editor at corporate complianceinsights, “Company resources are often misused when it comes to social media.”  Using a company issued computer, smartphone, or tablet to dwell on social media increases wear and tear and increases the risk of access to improper social media such as adult and hate sites.  If one doesn’t have permission to use the company name, motto, trademarks and other intellectual property, can infringe on a company’s rights and put up a misconception about the business.

By accessing social media at work the risk of disclosing sensitive information that harms a company’s edge in the market increases.  Product and other related information may conflict with the official release put out by a company’s communications department.

There have been several stories of people using social media to post false or negative reviews about a rivals product or service, this is considered fraud and is illegal. One example of this happening was with the Australian Post.  They paid people on Instagram who had over 400 thousand followers to post pictures for them.  Read the story here! 

http://mumbrella.com.au/australia-post-caught-use-paid-instagrammer-endorsements-269324