It seems more employees are behaving inappropriately on social networking sites, while companies are still trying to find the best way to deal with that behavior.

Almost 25% of employees have disciplined workers for activities on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, according to a recent survey by the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE). Despite that, only half of companies said they have a social networking policy or monitor employees’ behavior.

The dangers of social networking misuse include:

1. damage to the company’s reputation
2. leak of confidential information, and
3. harassment (if an employee talks disparagingly about a co-worker, for example).

What does a good policy look like? It should cover two basic elements:

1. Make it clear that employees have no right to privacy when they post on a public social-networking site, no matter where they connect from. If it’s on the site and can be read, it can be used as grounds for discipline.
2. Remind employees that company policies (like anti-harassment) extend to online behavior.

Does your company have a social networking policy?

Let us know by emailing: tbleske@pmvtech.com

By; Sam Narisi

Reprinted with permission from HR Morning