Social media has become a significant part of people’s daily lives—so much so that most employers are now seeing the need for social media policies in the workplace.
Ideally, employees would know when not to use social media at work, what not to say when talking about their brand or what not to post when taking pictures in the workplace. However, this is not always the case.
As an employer, it is crucial to set clear social media guidelines, so employees know exactly what to be mindful of. Below are some key points to consider.
Personal social media use while on the clock
Social media poses many distractions that can lead to productivity issues. Unless it is work-related, you may want to restrict social media use during work hours.
Protection of confidential information
Privacy is one major concern for businesses. You probably already have policies protecting confidential information, but it is important to spell out certain rules for social media. It can be all too easy to accidentally post a picture containing private data, such as client lists, financial information or business plans.
For example, you may want to prohibit taking pictures of any company document. Banning pictures or videos in the workplace altogether is also an option, especially if your business handles very sensitive client information, such as personal data or credit card information.
Respect, professionalism and common sense
Employers cannot control what employees post on their personal social media accounts. However, employers can encourage employees to avoid posting anything that can be considered as:
- Bullying
- Harassment
- Hate speech
- Discrimination
Even if employees’ posts are their own opinions, their statements can reflect poorly on your business.
Remind employees to be respectful and use common sense before posting on social media. If necessary, provide examples of harmful posts that they should avoid.
Employee rights
It is equally important to know what you cannot demand from your employees. For one, you cannot ask employees to not talk about their jobs on social media. Unless they are making false statements that are harmful to your business, you must respect their freedom of speech.
Moreover, employees have the right to connect with whoever they want on social media, including coworkers. Similarly, you cannot force employees to add supervisors or colleagues on social networks.
These are just some of the factors you must consider while creating social media policies for your employee handbook. If you want to ensure your policies are legally sound, don’t hesitate to contact an employment law attorney who can guide you through the process.