Most employers realize that social media has become integrated into our personal and professional lives. Many employers are also recognizing the benefit of their employees interacting on social media platforms and more are recruiting employees using social media. However, there is a proven need to provide some guidelines to employees who use social media in the workplace.
The social media phenomenon technically began in 1971 when the first email was sent between two computers sitting side by side. Today it has grown into something much more public than email though.
In the 1990s, America Online (AOL) became the rage because users could come up with customized login names and interact in chat rooms somewhat anonymously. That trend has changed drastically in the last 20 years. More and more users of social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ are using their real names on the platforms. That means that anonymity is out the window and what users say in the space is mostly in the public domain for all to see.
On the flip side of this, employers are encouraging their employees to interact with customers, clients and readers on behalf of the company. They may or may not have separate social media accounts for their personal and professional use. However, when actual names are shown in the public domain, many employers are establishing guidelines for appropriate social media use both professionally and personally.
The first rule of proper social media etiquette in the workplace should be common sense. Users should not swear or use otherwise offensive language; especially if their account is representing a business. There should also be no sexual overtones or images in the language used on social media. One guideline for appropriate language and images is that if you wouldn't want all of your family and coworkers to read/see what you wrote and displayed, don’t say or show it in social media.
There are also some basic topics that should be avoided that could be considered controversial. Employers might want to warn employees that subject matter that includes race, religion or politics could be offensive to some customers or clients.
As social media evolves, so does its ability to share more than words. Today, photos and videos are uploaded to social media networks by the thousands every day. Employees should not display photos or videos that are inappropriate in any manner; again especially when they are representing a business.
However, while some concrete rules need to be put in place for social media in the workplace, it does not need to be so rigid as to not allow employees to show their personality and engage realistically with customers and clients. Remember that social media does indeed need to be social and, if it isn't, your company could lose just as much creditability if some of these guidelines are not followed.
Proper social media etiquette in the workplace does not need to be difficult. These basic guidelines will help employers and employees project a positive image while taking advantage of social media’s communications potential.