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How to Navigate Social Media: For Employees

Last week I posted an article for employees called “How to Navigate Social Media: For Employers,” that provided some basic guidance on how to create a social media policy for business owners. This week, I’ve changed gears and am sharing some etiquette tips for employees who are using social media both for personal use and in business.

We live in a world where social media plays a prominent role as a channel of communication. We connect with friends, family, colleagues–and even people we don’t know personally. The ability to share information, any time, anywhere, and with anyone around the world is amazing–but with that ability comes responsibility. What you post on social media sites is out there — forever.

Something you may not have considered is this: When you post content on social media sites –even your personal Facebook or Twitter accounts–it can affect your job, as well as the public perception of the company you work for.

It’s dangerous to assume that only your personal friends and family are seeing the content you post online. If you post it on the web, you can guarantee someone will find it—and they may or may not be directly connected to you.

Use your common sense. A good rule of thumb is this: If you wouldn’t say it loudly, in front of your mother, you shouldn’t say it on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or any other social media site.

Having said that, there are definitely some things you can do today to make sure you’re not violating social media ethics set out by your company:

• Double check privacy settings on all your social media platforms. Facebook tends to set things for you – as a default – and it’s important that you check in on the settings from time to time to make sure you’re sharing only what you want to share. 
• Google yourself.  Yes, set up a Google alert to track mentions of your name.
• Think twice before sharing personal gripes about your workplace on any social media network. It’s just not appropriate, or professional. Your privacy settings may be just fine, but common sense dictates that many of your online “friends” have little or no privacy protection on their own page—opening your comment up for public view.  Also, anyone can do a simple “copy, paste and repost”—landing you in hot water with your company.
• Refrain from discussing any information that:
  • is derogatory
  • is confidential or proprietary
  • may be valuable to a competitor, such as product launch dates or pending reorganizations, etc.

Be very familiar with your employer’s social media policy. Understand it, and take it seriously.

These 6 “Rs” of social media will help keep you focused on the business etiquette rules of social media use as an employee:

1. Reasonable. Use reasonable etiquette online at all times– just as you would offline. If you like your job, avoid the use of profanity or sharing inappropriate photos online.
2. Representation. Be clear about who you are, and who you represent online.
3. Respect. Don’t share anything on social media that you wouldn’t share with the whole office—and your mother.
4. Responsibility. Make sure you are not violating legal guidelines, or any other company-mandated policies about revealing proprietary company information.
5. Restraint. Before you hit the send button, pause and reread. Whatever you post is out there forever—associated with your name. “Think before you tweet!”
6. Remember. Familiarize yourself with your company’s social media policy. Keep it top of mind every time you share anything online.

“Only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked.” ~ Warren Buffett

Posted by Margaret in Business Etiquette and tagged social media etiquette.