Social Media in the Workplace

Use of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and other social media sites has exploded in recent years. Statistics show that Americans spend roughly two hours on social media every day. 

What this means is that it is likely that employees are using social media while at work. This can impact productivity and cause problems among co-workers. Because some workers must use social media as part of their job, this can blur the lines between what is acceptable to post online and what is not. 

This means that employers and employees must be on the same page when it comes to social media etiquette in order to avoid employment issues down the line. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

What to Do

Here is what you should do as an employer: 

• Have a policy in place. If you want your employees to follow your rules, then you need to have a clear policy in place. Will you allow employees to use social media during company time? If so, to what degree? What can and cannot be posted on Facebook, Twitter, and other sites?
• Use social media wisely. Use social media in a positive manner, such as to promote the business. You can have multiple accounts or you can have just one. Just be mindful of what you post on them. They can be fun posts that show off your company’s culture or they can be more serious and insightful in nature. Do be wary of oversharing, though. It can be hard to draw that line.
• Assess content before posting. Get an idea of how you will use each social media site. For example, some content is better suited for Facebook, while more serious, employment-related content should be on LinkedIn. 

What Not to Do

Avoid doing these things on social media:

• Type in all caps. It is equivalent to screaming and can turn off some people. This is not how you want to market your brand.
• Post the same thing on every platform. Vary your message so that your customers or friends do not feel like they are being spammed.
• Be rude or embarrassing. Be polite when on social media, especially if creating content is part of your job. Think before posting anything argumentative or controversial. Also, avoid posting embarrassing content. You should definitely avoid saying anything about your boss, co-workers, or your job itself. If you have issues with your job, talk to your boss. Social media is not the place to vent your frustrations. It could even get you fired.

Contact an Employment Attorney in Ohio

Employers should have clear social media policies in place and employees should abide by them. It is easy for lines to get blurred when personal social media gets commingled with business accounts. 

The Ohio employment attorneys at Marshall Forman & Schlein can help you develop a fair social media policy. Learn more about how we can help you with your employment law issues. Fill out the online form or call (614) 463-9790 to schedule a consultation.