Social Media Policy – Do You Need One?
Social media has become a daily habit for millions of people—and all too often—this means that companies are having to deal with issues that have never come up in the past. From employees making inappropriate tweets on company matters, to full-blown social media disasters, there are plenty of pitfalls that you need to watch for.
There is one way to minimize the risk and set your energy sector company (and your employees) up for success. By instituting a firm social media policy, and outlining what will happen if that policy is broken, you can be assured that you’ll be protected from any potential fallout.
So, how can you tell if your company really needs a policy? Let’s take a look at a few variables.
- Do you allow your employees to post updates to your company social media profiles? In this instance, you’ll need to have a very clear policy in place that details what is and what is not appropriate to share on these channels. By making it clear to your employees, you’ll be able to clear up any misconceptions that they may have.
- You allow your employees to browse/use social media while at work. This is a very sticky situation for many companies and can result in a loss of productivity, as well as other issues that can creep up, such as disgruntled employees posting derogatory comments. If you are at all worried about this issue, it is best to simply set up a working hours social media ban. There are plenty of hours after-work for your employees to use social media.
- Are you concerned about employees posting about your company on social media in general? While you can’t control free speech, you can set up clear consequences for actions that could potentially harm your company. Don’t be afraid to set up a very clear policy for your employees – if they post something harmful, they run the risk of losing their jobs.
As with most things in life, being straightforward ahead of time will help clear up any potential misunderstandings and pave the way for smooth sailing on social media.
If you are concerned about the potential harm that can come from social media, it is a good idea to discuss your company needs with a consultant or a recruiting company that deals with these issues for their clients on a regular basis. They’ll be able to advise you on which steps will be best in your case. For help with your staffing needs, contact the energy sector recruiting experts at FootBridge Energy!
