{"id":4181,"date":"2014-10-22T06:00:54","date_gmt":"2014-10-22T13:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.websitespot.com\/blog\/?p=4181"},"modified":"2014-10-22T06:00:54","modified_gmt":"2014-10-22T13:00:54","slug":"creating-social-media-guidelines-employees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.websitespot.com\/blog\/creating-social-media-guidelines-employees\/","title":{"rendered":"Creating Social Media Guidelines for Employees"},"content":{"rendered":"

In today's world, it's unrealistic to block employees from social media. For many, checking in on Facebook or looking at the Twitter feed is as much a part of their daily lives as going to work. Even if you block their access, they can still check on their smartphones during lunches and breaks.<\/p>\n

Rather than alienating employees, try to tap into their enthusiasm for the work they perform, particularly those who are customer-facing. After all, you are using social media yourself, aren't you? Ninety percent of all businesses are doing so, according to the consulting firm Proskauer, which stresses that training, not prohibition, is what employees need when it comes to social media.<\/p>\n

\"Social<\/p>\n

Most Businesses Have Ineffective Social Media Policies<\/h2>\n

In its 2013-14 survey<\/a> of global social media, Proskauer found that 80% of 110 businesses it surveyed--which include international firms--have some kind of social media policy in place. Unfortunately, they don't seem to be working particularly well: 70% reported taking disciplinary action for social media misuse. As a result, more than one-third (36%) said they block their employees' access to social media, a non-solution given the presence of smartphones.<\/p>\n

In spite of evidence that training employees on responsible use of social media reduces risk for problems like leaking confidential information, misrepresenting the company, or harassing coworkers, few employers do this.<\/p>\n

Create a Social Media Guideline that Encourages Positive Use<\/h2>\n

There's nothing better than starting off on a positive note. You know your employees are using social media. They probably know that you know. Let both sides acknowledge the situation and work from there.<\/p>\n

Brian Honigman, a marketing consultant who works with firms like Toyota and Hubspot and writes for The Wall Street Journal<\/em> and Entrepreneur<\/em>, recently released Think Before You Post<\/a>,<\/em> a guide for creating worksite social media policy. Here are his main points:<\/p>\n