Do you have a Social Media policy for your business which explains what employees can do on social media and perhaps more importantly can’t do?
Most businesses have an Acceptable Use policy – I would argue that a Social Media policy is just as important.
A Social Media policy should set out a business’s expectations for employee behaviour on social media. For example:
- Do your employees need to state that their opinion does not represent that of the business?
- Is there information that employees should not divulge on social media?
- Does the personal social media profile of the employee ultimately reflect on the business?
Every business will be different and have different requirements. 
Once you have created your social media policy, resist the temptation to send it out by email and expect your employees to read and absorb it – consider putting training in place to ensure that your employees really understand how the policy effects them.
I’m currently working with a Borough Council that has created a Social Media policy to cover how staff should use social media on behalf of the council and how staff should use social media for personal use.
As you would expect, I am training those staff who are using social media on behalf of the council. However, the council have also asked me to provide training for anybody in the council (who is interested) to explain how (and how not) to use social media for personal use. All employees have (so far) found the training to be beneficial, interesting and valuable. They have learnt what social media is all about and can ensure they represent themselves appropriately on all aspects of social media.
How are you handling the issues around employee use of social media in your business? It would be great to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Of course if you need help creating your social media policy – or training your employees – do get in touch!
If you want to know more about using social mediua for personal use, you may be interested in looking at my latest eBook Using Social Media for Personal Gain.