Social media use at work
Employee use of social media at work has become an ever increasing problem for employers in a number of ways. Not only can it severely affect productivity but may also constitute a risk of sensitive information and data being deliberately or inadvertently being posted or tweeted on the net. An increasing number of employment law disputes and Tribunal claims now involve issues surrounding internet use and social media issues. Employers are now taking the issue very seriously, as a new study suggests and are amending employment contracts and policies accordingly.
A new study by Lewis Communications and HCL Technologies of 2,500 businesses shows that nearly 50% of UK companies ban employees from using social media at work.
The difficulty, as much as anything with this issue, is policing. Can small and medium employers afford, either financially or in time terms, to monitor whether staff are complying with the prohibition ? Policing a ban may also cause practical (privacy settings) and legal (snooping and privacy) issues, and even if computer use can be monitored , what about smartphones ? All in all, a very important but complex issue, in both employment law and practical terms.
Contact Bournemouth Solicitors for practical help with any kind of employment law issue, policies or procedures.