Since the dawn of the Internet, people have been using it as a means for communicating with one another. In its earliest incarnation, the Internet was used primarily by computer scientists for communication. But as the Internet grew and expanded, more and more people in homes, schools and (eventually) workplaces began interacting socially via the Internet. One consequence of this increasing social interaction on the Internet was the appearance of social media sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Currently, there are literally thousands of social media sites of various sizes, types and niches across the Internet. For businesses, the existence of social media and its use by employees has presented them with both opportunities and concerns. The following will examine the use of social media in the workplace and consider its implications for business.
Just What Is Social Media?
Essentially, social media websites or applications allow users to interact with other users in a social environment. This broad description covers a range of sites. Some of these sites are simply for chatting and sharing photographs (these are the larger and more popular ones), some are for dating and others might focus on a particular concern of a niche group, such as politics, cooking or astronomy. Most social media sites require that users set up a profile, choose who they want to connect to and provide a platform that users can employ to carry out such interaction. To a large extent, it is the structure and appearance of the platform that differentiates one social media site from another.
Pros and Cons of Social Media in the Workplace
As many employers have come to recognize, the use of social media by employees can lead to problems and could be seen as negative. However, this is not uniformly the case. There are circumstances in which social media can actually be beneficial in the workplace. The following lists the pros and cons of social media in the workplace:
Social Media Workplace Pros
Enhanced Productivity: Many businesses have been concerned that the use of social media by employees in the workplace could interfere with productivity. However, recent studies have revealed that (somewhat unexpectedly) the use of social media by workers can actually enhance productivity, as well as employee retention. Many employers are finding that permitting the use of social media in the workplace (with stipulations in place) helps their workers to better balance their work/life activities and needs. Moreover, the resources and knowledge these employees can acquire through these connections can make them more effective at what they are doing (Ackerley, 2014, p. 193).
Additional Data: One of the other benefits of employees using social media is that it can help companies to better analyze company trends, evaluate employee skills and identify workers with leadership potential. In short, it provides an additional source of data about the employees.
Social Media Marketing: One way that employee use of social media can be a positive for business is as a marketing tool. A surprising number of people who are looking for a product or service will turn to others that they know on social media sites to ask for advice. Employees using social media on a daily basis can help to promote the company.
Social Media Workplace Cons
Cybersecurity Concerns: One of the principal concerns that businesses have about the use of social media in the workplace is the security threat it might pose. As has been seen recently, it is perfectly possible for hackers to use social media platforms to generate spam, commit fraud or even attack the company with viruses. It's essential for businesses to protect their networks with the same high level of security that they use for proprietary business data.
Misuse by Employees: Another concern for businesses is that employees making use of social media in the workplace may choose to use it inappropriately, such as by complaining about the company, posting offensive material comments or even revealing confidential company information about clients (Hearing & Ussery, 2012, p. 36). For this reason, it is essential that businesses ensure that they have provided their employees with a clear set of guidelines as to what behavior, comments and activities are acceptable and appropriate for social media activity in the workplace.
Myths about Social Media
There are a number of myths and misconceptions about the use of social media in the workplace. Such misconceptions are particularly common among older executives for managers who are perhaps less familiar with social media and its use by employees. One of the most prominent myths about social media use in the workplace is that the employees that engage in such use are essentially lazy and unwilling to do their work. In fact, research has demonstrated that the ability to take one's mind off of work for a moment or two makes workers more effective, rather than less so. Social media can even help with employee hiring and retention (Blacksmith & Poeppelman, 2013, p. 72).
Another misconception that people frequently have about social media in the workplace is that it is entirely gossip related and of no benefit to the business. As mentioned above, social media can serve many useful functions for a business, including promoting its products and/or services. It also can assist employees in carrying out research. For instance, social media is an excellent venue for conducting a quick survey of potential or current customers.
Personal Perspective
In conclusion, social media has become a huge aspect of our society and seems likely to grow in the influence in the future. In the same way, it has massively impacted business in a number of ways, from marketing to data collection. The use of social media networks by employees in the workplace has for some time been a subject for debate. Many businesses view it as a negative, but as the above makes clear it has many positives as well. Only the implementation of careful guidelines and usage policies by the companies in question can ensure that the negatives are avoided and the positives enjoyed.
References
Ackerley, N. (2014). Social media in the workplace. Veterinary Nursing Journal (Wiley- Blackwell), 29(6), 192-193.
Blacksmith, N., & Poeppelman, T. (2013). Application of Modern Technology and Social Media in the Workplace. TIP: The Industrial-Organizational Psychologist, 51(1), 69-73.
Hearing, G. A., & Ussery, B. C. (2012). The Times They Are a Changin': The Impact of Technology and Social Media on the Public Workplace, Part I. Florida Bar Journal, 86(3), 35-39.
