Social Networking in the Workplace

Social networking is how the modern generation connects to the world. Social networking is, essentially, a set of technologies, including so-called Web 2.0 sites (those allowing users to manipulate the content), text/picture/video messaging via smart phones, and posting of content to websites via email or by phone.

According to the Pew Research Center, over 70% of teens and young adults use social networking regularly. (In fact, no fewer than 50% of both adults and teen go on line at least once per day.) Social networking requires a sophisticated understanding and use of technology: locating the sites and friends within those sites, managing content to avoid offending others, and navigating multifarious inputs (via mobile device, through email, through website, etc.). Which is why some analysts believe that corporations large and small must have an social networking presence.

Some of the reasons given are that social media is inexpensive (see Alice in Wonderland's Facebook page with over one million fans), puts small and large companies are on a more-even playing field, allows clients to connect directly with the company, and generates traffic to corporate websites. The potentially huge audience, combined with social networking skills ingrained in 70% of the two succeeding generations means that information dissemination (including advertising) are about to transform yet again.


The law, meanwhile, has regularly morphed to encompass technological advancements, albeit not as quickly as the general population. For instance, "electronic files" has been clarified for litigation as late as 2006, imposing sanctions for destruction of electronic files, even when under a bona fide policy. What this means for relevant data posted to social networking sites remains to be seen.

As to social networking sites, employers may not necessarily use information located on even public websites, where the site's terms of service do not allow for it. Nor may employers use such information when it would otherwise violate an applicant's or employee's privacy or protected status (sex, race, age, disability, etc.).

Other risks of social networking include, ready posting of material damaging to business and offensive to other employees by irresponsible workers.

Nevertheless, ready access to a constant stream of information is not only inevitable, but is reality for many employees. An employer's policies need to reflect the concerns about social networking, without infringing on the obvious and growing utility of them.