Social Media In The Workplace – Bad Idea?

Ok. Enough already. I love a good debate and I am one of the first to cite the lack of thought and foresight that organizations (public and private businesses) engage when they develop workplace rules for the use of social media by their employees. And as a Human Resources professional, I have been waving the flag as high as the rest of my colleagues about the current (and impending) deluge of workplace related “opportunities” that social media has and will continue to create in the workplace.

Yet now comes the outrageous conclusion by Stephanie A. Lloyd (RadiantVeracity) about banning social media use by employees in the workplace, “It’s STUPID.” (RadiatVeracity November 8, 2009). She further states, “They should probably also rip out all the fax machines and ban email because someone might send a personal message.”

Ms. Lloyd cites a column by Lisa Barone in Small Business Trends to bolster her argument in which she writes, “Something that also caught my eye was the division between using social media for business use vs using it for personal use. Because they’re pretty much the same thing. The goal behind social media is to make your business personal. And if you don’t understand that, you’re going about it the wrong way.”

A recent article on SocialNomics (Companies Ban Social Media = Bad Idea Oct 23, 2009) Erik Qualman states , “Banning something like social media could send the wrong message to current employees and potential recruits as a company that “doesn’t get it.” Also, how can companies learn what to do in social media if they aren’t allowing their employees to even use the tools?”

So what started all this? A recent survey conducted by Robert Half Technology of 1,499 chief information officers, found that, “More than half (54 percent) of chief information officers (CIOs) interviewed recently said their firms do not allow employees to visit social networking sites for any reason while at work.” (WHISTLE - BUT DON'T TWEET - WHILE YOU WORK, Oct 6, 2009, Robert Half Technology).

Well I say ‘congratulations’ to that 54 percent for exercising their right and prerogative as business owners/operators to control how and when their company owned equipment is used by employees. And further, I don’t find it outrageous or wrong for them to restrict their employees from using personal cell phones, PDA’s, fax machines or laptops WHILE THEY ARE WORKING.

Yes, from a marketing perspective, businesses need to recognize the fantastic new world of social media communications; and if they are smart, adopt it and incorporate it into their plans. And it is further true that in a workplace environment based upon respect and empowerment, employees have been found to be happier and more productive (pick your study, there are plenty).

But let’s get real for a moment. If it is their computer, PDA, cell phone or telephone they have the right to restrict their employees use of it to job related activities. And if they are paying an employee for that hour, they also have the right and business necessity to establish conditions for personal activity during that hour.

There are plenty of public relations and marketing nightmares just waiting to happen in their scenario. The employee relations minefield will also take some negotiating. More obvious, is a business’s necessity to control its image in the marketplace (not to mention any target sales campaigns they may want to integrate).

Lisa Barone is an expert in the use of social media and internet services; and her blog posts (which I do read often) are a recommended read. And Stephanie A. Lloyd is an excellent source for both human resources topics and understanding where HR meets Social Media (and a frequent voice on #HRHappyHour @SteveBoese on BlogTalk Radio http://bit.ly/3Kpc48).
Erik Qualman is the Global VP of Online Marketing for EF Education.

But on this matter, they are practicing a severe case of tunnel vision.                           TXRCJM785BYT      37C896DJCPFX   

If business owners and executives need to be ‘enlightened’ in the use of social media within their organizations, then by all means, market that expertise at them. When you do, make sure it is tied to a business case and demonstrates sound ROI, and affords a level of message and market control.

Oh, and don’t forget to include Human Resources, legal and IT security aspects while you’re at it.

Enjoy Your Day!