A disciplinary hearing for the misuse of social websites can be impossible, if the company has not put into action guidelines and remedial procedures to identify what is/is not permissible under obligation of employment with the company.
A recent article ‘keeping pace with social media in the workplace’, from the law firm DLA Piper suggests,
· Companies are recognising the advantages of existence on social media sites.
· Most enterprises are promoting their staff to use social media sites for publicising their business.
· However employers are unsuccessful in safeguarding themselves from the disadvantages of social media usage.
· 21 per cent of staff in the last year has had proceedings taken against them for unsuitable/offensive information shared on social media sites.
31 per cent of staff had been disciplined for inapt information posted on social networking sites about the business or their colleagues
These problems identify a need for HR departments to support the process of staff using social websites in a work capacity. This can be achieved by providing/implementing guidelines on what the company permits. By making the obligation of the employee clearly identifiable it would result in a distinction of a liable in breach. This would have to be supported by a disciplinary process to make the guidelines ultimately effective.
Interesting Facts
· Fewer than one in ten employers have policies in place to control employee use of social media.
· 65% of employers encourage their employees to use Social Media for business purposes
· One third of employers have considered disciplinary action as a result of misuse by employees on Social Networking sites, causing problems to the business and work colleagues
A survey from ‘Clearswift’ a security firm found that, organisations blocking admittance to social websites has risen from 9 per cent in 2010 to 19 per in 2011. These figures distinguish a need for employers to keep up with online developments in consideration for their businesses.
If you would like any advice or help implementing effective measures to control the use of social media within your business please call us.
Tel: 01280 817341 Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
