When we’re in college, we can do whatever we want on Facebook. Then we get hired. Nobody explains how the rules are different or what’s acceptable and professional. The change in culture, plus the lack of information, is what causes trouble for the employee and employer.
Here’s a great article with the details from Mashable and an example from TheNextWeb:
All companies need to create a social media training program.
You need to do more than just create a set of rules or file a policy in a drawer. You need to make sure all employees understand:
- How the rules of employee behavior still apply to social media
- The lines between personal and professional social media messages
- The rules of social media ethics in marketing
If you don’t know how to do this at your company, join the Social Media Business Council. We just had a half-day meeting on the topic, and our members will help you out. You don’t need to figure this out on your own.
Great example!
This article brings to light a few points, I am an employee at a background check company named Integrascan, we use the social networks in conducting Criminal Background checks and find a lot of things that you may not want to show up , do because of no privacy settings on your face book or other social network systems.
Remember, if you don’t want your boss to know your personel business then you need to check the privacy policies of the network
Terry Sweet
Integrascan
Regardless of whether or not you’re “friends” with your boss on Facebook and whatever new technology comes out, what happened to common sense and professionalism? I am 23. Nobody had to tell me these things. If my peers don’t have the common sense and maturity to realize saying things like that in public is a dumb idea (whether on the internet or in a bar with your friends where a coworker or even your boss could overhear you), then they deserve the consequences of their actions.
Have to say I agree with the comment above, surely common sense would dicatate what you say about your job or employer on Facebook and training is not really necessary
I do agree that some things should just be common sense, but it’s also been said that common sense aint common. I think it’s a great idea for companies to have a concrete social media policy and make sure all employees are made aware of the policy.