Social media is so widely used nowadays that even you’re grandma is liking and commenting on your posts! It’s the place where the news hits first and if you’re not on it then you’re viewed as a bit of a rebel. With social media so commonplace there are certain pitfalls that come with it and over-sharing about something that happened in the workplace could land you in a lot of trouble with your employer.
It doesn’t matter if your platform of choice is Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Pinterest or any other social media site, using it in the workplace, or outside the workplace but commenting on workplace issues, can be dangerous.
Unfortunately the law is still a little bit grey when it comes to social media and a lot of emphasis is put on the individual situation when it arises. We thought we’d help and put together a few things you should consider before hitting ‘post’.
1. Read your workplace social media and internet policies:
It is common now for a workplace to have a policy in place, which outlines how you can use the internet and social media at work. Often this policy will state what you can and cannot say on social media about your job and the workplace.
The policy may also outline when you can use the internet for personal uses, such as during lunch breaks only. It goes without saying that if it contains such a statement then you should keep away from social media at all times except for this.
Where your workplace doesn’t have such a policy you should play it safe and seek clarification from your supervisor or HR manage.
Alternatively if you’re a business owner and don’t have such a policy in place you should have one constructed without delay. Be sure to include details about internet use and social media, stating what is allowed, when it is allowed and what the consequences are for a breach of the policy.
2. Use your social media privacy settings:
A bit of common sense goes a long way when it comes to using social media. So before you post that status about a co-worker make sure you know exactly who is going to read it. Keep it friends only! Also be careful with what you say, as all too often even when you’re careful, it still gets back to the person, or your employer. This is especially true when you’re friends are the people you work with. That post you thought was private could still end up being circulated in the workplace.
It’s important that you don’t say anything online that could amount to harassment, as the person you say it about could take legal action against you. Even if you think you’re being discrete and keeping it vague when you say something about your employer, they’re still not likely to look upon it favourably as they’ll be able to tell it’s about them. Anything you post online, even when done from the comfort of home, outside of work hours can land you in trouble, especially when it is likely to affect your employer’s reputation. They can take disciplinary action against your for this.
3. Know how to use your social media accounts and use them wisely:
In the past Fair Work Australia have taken a lenient approach when it comes to social media, accepting that some people may not know how to use their accounts correctly. However this excuse is tiring as social media is now considered mainstream. This means as a social media user you have to take more responsibility for what you say online.
You also have to take responsibility for setting your privacy settings correctly, deleting posts when what is said shouldn’t be aired and also de-friending and blocking people who you don’t want reading things you say. Saying something over social media is not the same as saying it to a group of mates over a few beers. It’s in writing and it can be considered to have been said in a public venue. This means that the repercussions can be far more reaching.
A good idea is to save or print a copy of the original post made when it becomes clear that it could cause a problem in the workplace. If you’re employer imposes any disciplinary action it’s a good idea to seek legal advice as soon as possible.
In the end though, all you really need to do when using social media, is to use a bit of common sense. Most of the time it’s inappropriate to use it in the workplace when you should be working and not a good idea to vent about your employer in a public post. Keep these basic tips in mind and you shouldn’t run into too many problems.