According to the U.S Census Bureau, the number of active users on Facebook is 309,448,262.  In comparison, Facebook announced in June that the number of active users worldwide is over 400,000,000. The fastest growing demographic of Facebook users are age 35 and older.  So, do you know how many of your employees are social networking?

Despite the dramatic increase in the use of social networking websites, there have been several surveys recently that reveal that a large percentage of employers do not have a policy regarding employee use of social networking sites. 

There are many benefits for the employers' and employees' use of social networking.  Effective use of social media can increase a company’s brand, help launch new products, and gain information about industry competition.  However, the use of social media can also present a variety of dangers to the employer including data loss, fraud, and release of sensitive information.  Additionally, there are compliance issues with Title VII, other discrimination laws and issues with privacy that employers should be take special care to address.   Therefore, employers are quickly realizing that having a policy is important.

Employers should have policies in place setting forth their expectations regarding employee's social networking as it relates to the employer.   Such policies should prohibit:

• Harassment of co-workers or customers;
• Interference or disruption of work because of social networking;
• Exposing trade secrets or other proprietary company information;
• Disparaging comments about the company and its employees; and
• References to customers, vendors and business partners.

Employers should address the issue of social media through a well drafted policy. Or at the very least, the employer should review its current policies to ensure that they address social networking issues specifically. These related policies should include EEO, harassment, electronic communications, confidentiality, and inventions/trade secrets.  It is also a good idea to train employees on the proper and improper use of social networking at or relating to work.

For more information about workplace policies, please contact one of the impactHR professionals at 410-480-7145.

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