In: Operations Management
Over the past few weeks, you have become more familiar with your staff and are beginning to feel like part of their family. To that end, you have recently accepted some "friend requests" on Facebook from some of the staff. You were at home last night, getting caught up on Facebook when you came across a post from one of the employees that said:
" I hate my new boss at the clinic. A power hungry jerk making too many changes and there are way too many rules. It's not fun to work there anymore. I hope they don't last, or I hope I find another job soon. I do not know how much more of this I can take"!!
You did not sleep well, to say the least, and now you need to decide what to do about this. Some things to consider:
Should you have accepted the friend request in the first place? Why or why not? Remember, you are not in a co-worker relationship with this person, you are in a supervisor-subordinate relationship.
Should you remain friends on social media?
Can we initiate disciplinary action on this employee?
Based on this, the Board of Trustees wants us to establish a Social Medial Policy. Can we (by law) do this? If so, I need you to provide me with a draft Social Media Policy.
There is no harm in accepting friend requests from employees or colleagues because and individual can have a personal space outside work and may even have relationships to a certain level as well. Yes, there is no harm in remaining friends on social media.
If there is no social media policy of the organization then disciplinary action against the employee cannot be taken.
Yes, a social media policy can be implemented and this is legal, please find below the draft of the policy:
Objective
We will expect and hope that all our employees will follow the policy
Elements
We are aware that social media has been quite an important aspect in our life and we have no restrictions regarding its usage even in the workplace but that has to be personal usage of social media and not representing the organization in the platform.
Personal Usage
Employees are not restricted to use social media in workplace but they need to apply their common sense while using and need to make sure that it does not affect the performance or productivity of the employees. Employees have the freedom to express their personal views and comments but they cant state that it is supported by the organization. Any kind of intellectual property details cannot be shared in social media.
Representing the organization
It is advised not to involve in anything representing the organization and if the employees are doing so then the person needs to be polite, patient and respectful while engaging in conversations or debates. The confidential aspects of the organizations cannot be revealed and offensive comments or discriminatory posts should not be made and it is better if employees do not get involved in conversations outside their field of expertise.
Consequences
If an employee is found violating any guidelines may lead to disciplinary actions that may even lead to termination of the employee.