Social media is coming to your workplace. Are you ready?
15 April 2010, 10:50am
The increasing popularity of social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter is presenting a series of challenges and opportunities for workers.
Social media networks began as a simple way to keep in touch with family and friends.
However many businesses, organisations and governments are now embracing Facebook, Twitter and other networks to increase their sales and improve interaction with clients.
So what are the implications of this shift for employees?
For some, social networking is an important addition to their toolbox which saves time and improves contact with clients. For others the repercussions are less rosy.
Former Telstra employ Leslie Nassar, was sacked by Telstra in March 2009 over satirical posts on his personal blog and Twitter account.
And just this week, a Labour candidate in the UK election, Stuart MacLennan, was sacked for using his Twitter account to make unseemly remarks about other politicians.
Back here in Australia the Commonwealth Government has released a major report called Government 2.0 (download PDF) which calls for a radical shake up of the way the public sector communicates and uses information.
While the Government is yet to respond to the Government 2.0 report, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and Department of Finance and Deregulation (DoFD) have just issued new social media policies for staff.
Under the DIAC policy all online communication on behalf of the department must be authorised. The new policy “emphasises the importance of maintaining operational and personal security online, irrespective of whether staff are using the tools in their professional or personal capacities.”
By contrast, the DoFD policy allows employees to talk online about “factual, unclassified and uncontroversial matters” related to the Department, but communications about sensitive or political information must be authorised.
In your workplace
Over the last year, a growing number of members have approached the union looking for advice on how to negotiate the murky waters where their online and work worlds collide.
One case involved a manager signing up as a friend on a member’s Facebook page so they could monitor her after-hours activities. Another concerned a supervisor who monitored Facebook and Twitter posts of staff whenever they were on sick leave.
In cases like these CPSU delegates and organisers can and do intervene to ensure peoples' rights are respected. However, there are a few steps you can take yourself to head off any potential problems.
Always be aware of your agency's guidelines for use of email and the internet and stick to them
Always check your privacy settings so only the people you want can access information about you and your personal
Always remember social networking is an activity for out-of-office hours
Never post anything you wouldn’t want your manager, colleagues or family members to know about - if you really want to keep your private life private, de-friend anyone from work
Have your say
Does your employer have a policy on social media networks and are people aware of it?
Do you have any concerns about being asked to use social media tools as part of your job?
Do you think there would be any benefits of using social media networks for work?
Please join the conversation below...
Comments(20)
Posted by:Amused - 5 May 2011, 8:03am I have no interest in these social networking sites at all however I do think that anyone stupid enough to transmit personal or private information over the internet deserves whatever comes their way. If you don't want somebody to know something, don't publish it for the entire planet to see. There is no such thing as "private" on the internet!
Posted by:Rickster - 28 Apr 2010, 2:04pm I understand the big three (ATO, Defence, & Centrelink) all ban FB, Twitter, and MySpace. This is really holding back the tide as the younger their Public Affairs people become, the more 'push' there will be to access thes tools to spread the corporate message. Also, as print newspapers decline, they must look at where people get their information.
Posted by:AN - 23 Apr 2010, 9:14am We do not have access to fb at work and I thought I had limited my access to friends only but a friend of a friend reported a comment I had made to our boss. He was not happy and I was hauled over the coals.
Posted by:Angel - 22 Apr 2010, 11:06am In my agency FB, twitter and myspace are all blocked. However when some of us use it outside work... ie complaining about or TL in general terms. like "I am sick of my TL" we soon hear about it although not through formal channels. Quite frankly it is annoying that we can have no outlet for our frustrations with management without fear of reprocustions. Obviously once should not go off on a rant against your agency or directed at someone usibng foul language. but saying you are sick of someone the sanity police are out there again (BTW I am typing this on my morning tea break)
Posted by:DM - 19 Apr 2010, 3:33pm I'm over 50 but still have my own FB...for private. Enough staff use it all day long here already for socialising; I believe it would make the amount of work they do less, not more, if it was actually encouraged:)
I have no interest in these social networking sites at all however I do think that anyone stupid enough to transmit personal or private information over the internet deserves whatever comes their way. If you don't want somebody to know something, don't publish it for the entire planet to see. There is no such thing as "private" on the internet!
I understand the big three (ATO, Defence, & Centrelink) all ban FB, Twitter, and MySpace. This is really holding back the tide as the younger their Public Affairs people become, the more 'push' there will be to access thes tools to spread the corporate message. Also, as print newspapers decline, they must look at where people get their information.
We do not have access to fb at work and I thought I had limited my access to friends only but a friend of a friend reported a comment I had made to our boss. He was not happy and I was hauled over the coals.
In my agency FB, twitter and myspace are all blocked. However when some of us use it outside work... ie complaining about or TL in general terms. like "I am sick of my TL" we soon hear about it although not through formal channels. Quite frankly it is annoying that we can have no outlet for our frustrations with management without fear of reprocustions. Obviously once should not go off on a rant against your agency or directed at someone usibng foul language. but saying you are sick of someone the sanity police are out there again (BTW I am typing this on my morning tea break)
I'm over 50 but still have my own FB...for private. Enough staff use it all day long here already for socialising; I believe it would make the amount of work they do less, not more, if it was actually encouraged:)