Social Networks – A friend or foe of the workplace?

Most companies have jumped onboard, or at least recognized the need to include social media in their marketing efforts. The ability to build and cultivate relationships without face-to-face interaction is just too attractive to ignore; and if you do, you can bet your competitors aren’t.

Now, the big debate in the workforce is whether employees should have access to social networking sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter during company hours.

Some argue that if these networking sites are made available, much of the time spent would not be on professional development. And how could you argue against that? Yes, I can log on Facebook to update my status that my firm is looking to hire, but how can I ignore that my father sent me pictures from his recent ski trip? So they’re right, blocking out all personal use might just be impossible.

Others argue that banning it doesn’t do any good since most of us can go online via our mobile phones – and then employers would not be able to monitor our usage. In the same example, I’d probably be less likely to make that same status update if I had to do it through my phone or if I had to wait till I got home. And what’s to stop me from looking at my dad’s pictures via my phone?

I believe it’s safe to say that we all see the pros and cons of each side and that this is not a black or white topic, but a nice mesh of grays.

The Miami Herald posted a good article this week that develops this idea further: Social networks test companies’ boundaries. I have to agree that social networks are a “powerful trend,” and that strategic companies will adapt and evolve. The key is to develop company goals and a roadmap to get there. And equally important, companies must educate employees and teach them what is acceptable usage and how they can help!