Advice and Guidance On Using Social Networks During Work Time

The 1990s saw the age of the internet and it’s fair to say that since its inception, the internet has changed the way we work, spend our leisure time, socialize and communicate. With the advent of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, it has led to a cloudy area in terms of what can and can’t be done on these sites during working hours. In this article we explore what a social network is and the arguments for and against using social networks whilst at work.

What is a Social Network?

A social network is an internet site that allows users to share information, exchange opinions and communicate with other users, some of whom you physically know and some of whom you don’t, depending on the network. Sites such as Facebook and My Space were developed as a way of sharing information with your friends and family members whilst keeping in touch remotely with people you know. Sites such as Twitter allow you to find people with common interests and communicate openly on a public forum. LinkedIn was developed as a way of communicating and sharing thoughts, ideas, and information with other businesses. As time passed, LinkedIn became an invaluable platform for businesses to post their job openings so that they could find the most suitable candidates. Additionally, many businesses rely on recruitment agencies (such as the Recruitment agency Shrewsbury) in order to find the right people with the right skills and qualifications. When they partner with a recruitment agency, they have access to a much larger pool of potential candidates, which will make it easier to identify the ideal candidates. Shortly, networking sites and recruitment agencies have made hiring smoother for businesses.

There is one thing that all these sites have in common, they allow you to post about what you are doing and feeling and allow you to see what others are doing. They are also quite addictive if you are a regular user. This has led to problems in the work place.

The argument for using social networks during working hours

Some companies are happy for their employees to use social networking sites during working hours. Here are some of the reasons why:

• Networking for business – many companies allow their employees to use social media sites as a way of networking for business. They actively encourage their staff to find other businesses in their sector and see what they are ‘tweeting’ about or doing on the social media scene.
• Research – social networking sites are a great place to undertake research. Twitter for example will give you a list of the latest trends and hash-tags being used which allows companies to keep their fingers on the pulse.
• Engage with customers – social networking can also be encouraged as a way of engaging with the target market and identifying potential customers. This can be similar to how companies such as Lbox provide leaflet distribution services to other companies as a form of directly engaging with people to evoke their interest in the business’s products or services.
• Content staff – some companies allow their staff to use social networking sites during office hours as a way of keeping them content. Content staff tend to be more loyal and in the long run more hard working for the company..
• As a communication tool – traditional communication channels such as phone calls and faxes are not as common in today’s business world as they once were. People now prefer to communicate via email and instant messaging sites, many of which are built into social networking sites.

The argument against using social networks during working hours

However there are a number of companies who have completely banned their employees from using social networking sites during working hours. Here are a few reasons why:

• Loss of work time – during working hours, most employers expect their staff to be working. According to some employee onboarding statistics, social networking sites mean that valuable working hours are ‘lost’ every year whilst staff are posting photos and status updates on sites. The concept of losing time can mean serious trouble for a company. Therefore, business owners have to make sure that their staff understands the company’s guidelines during their training period itself.
• Inappropriate use – some companies think that by an employee posting during working hours, it reflects badly on them as a company. Although this generally relates to the type of content being posted. There have also been reported issues in the US of employees being bullied over social networking sites.
• Confidentiality issues – some companies are concerned about employees leaking confidential information over social networking sites that directly benefit their competitors. Whether it is a corporate or retail environment, the communication part ought to be confidential. Look for separate communication solutions that can solve problems in retail staff communication.

What Does Your Contact Say?

If you are unsure of the policy on social networking in your workplace, it’s recommended to check your contract. Most employment contracts will contain information about personal use of the internet and use of social networking sites from your own device during office hours. If you are unsure of the policy in your workplace, it is best to ask the recruitment department before embarking on any social networking.