According to a recent newspoll survey commissioned by Symantec in Australia, 73 per cent of Australian workers access social networking sites at work.
it is not a complete solution to ban and block the use of social media at work as employees are able to readily access these sites via portable devices such as smartphones. What can organizations do is to allow employees to access social networking sites but also restrict to use these sites.
Ganin, K 2011 (from Government News), where had some recommendations for those organizations considering the restriction of social media sites:
- Prohibit access doesn’t make sense because people will find ways to get around the unreasonable usage but it has to be for a genuine social purpose and within reasonable limits
- All employers must have HR policies dealing with misuse of the social network, particularly when it arises in the harassment, discrimination or bullying areas
- Must cover the misuse of the network to release an agency’s (employer’s) confidential information or material which could cause reputational damage to the employers
- Restrict time access to the site, for example during lunch break, and out of office hours.
- Consider having one or two PCs in a public area, for example a kitchen or café area, where employees can check Facebook. It is much easier to monitor employees who spend all day away from their desk!
- Restrict tabbed browsing so employees cannot stay logged in to the site all day.
- Monitor time employees spend on Facebook.
- Make it clear to employees that they are not to use corporate bandwidth by downloading Facebook applications on work networks.
What do you think of these recommendations? Or, you still think that organizations must block the social networking sites at work?
Ganin, K 2011, 'THE DANGERS OF GETTING SOCIAL AT WORK', Government News, 31, 1, pp. 38-39.
Hi Ellen, I think it depends on the type of organisation and the specific job that a person should do. Some organisations must use social media platforms as a tool to accomplish their tasks (advertising agencies, social media agencies, communication agencies, etc.). However, I think that organisations should restrict the access to social media platforms to employees who don't need to use them for doing their work. I think some people have criteria to use them but not everybody. Some good initiatives that you mentioned are very good such as restrict time access to sites, restrict tabbed browsing, etc.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Paulette that it depends on the type of organization. For example, as a frontline staff, they should be restricted to access social media at work ( smart phone or laptop). Since it would damage their professional images and consumers may misunderstand that they are so lazy and they do not concentrate on the work.
ReplyDeleteI think these recommendations are good. As long as social networks don't affect work, it's ok for employees to access them during break.
ReplyDelete"Reasonable use" should be allowed, at an employees own desk (just like the telephone). Don't companies want to be places that their employees enjoy coming to work, and spreading positive word-of-mouth about the company and brand? So often, these "policies" or "guidelines" are written by HR idiots who don't stop to think about the negative impact such bureaucracy can have on staff morale.
ReplyDeleteAm I being idealistic here, or do others agree with me?
Don't block it, as you say, people will find ways around it. If your employees use it for work purposes, such as monitoring, perfect, don't let them leave the site, however this is a lot of the time not the situation. Provided their work is not impacted by the use of SM, no issues, but the difficulty comes in when over use of SM actually starts impacting on the performance of the employees. That is when perhaps some words should be exchanged and just clearing up what reasonable usage is.
ReplyDeleteRoss
Good thoughts Ellen! It would be so wrong if employers completely ban social networking sites at work place, because it would possibly stimulate employee's negative feelings toward employers and work. However, regulations to avoid them overusing social networking is very necessary to ensure working efficiency. Thus, employees can discuss feasible solutions or regulations with HR in order to reduce conflict or misunderstanding.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all comments.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, even though the companies ban social networking at work, employees will also use smartphone to log on Facebook. I agree with Wag that “reasonable use” is allowed at work. However, the companies have to set a guideline with HR. For example, don’t slander the peers…