Dangers of Social Networking in the Workplace
Dangers of Social Networking in the Workplace
Kenneth Morrow
University of Maryland University College
18 March 2012 Abstract
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, MySpace are all social networking sites that the majority of today’s society have heard of and more than likely use on a daily basis. These sites can be useful tools for a plethora of information and do have added quality in the workplace. However, if employers and employees do not use these sites properly or more importantly understand the dangers of social networking there can be alarming consequences that could include loss of occupation, serious liability claims, or never acquire employment at all. Constant vigilance and reminders that social networking is not private must be in the forethought of all employees and employers with consideration to the workplace.
Dangers of Social Networking within the Workplace
Introduction/Background:
Social networking has swept across the globe becoming not just part of our personal and work lives, but consuming our entire existence. There are benefits of social networking in the workplace that brings vast amounts of information and people together. One such benefit is recruiting for new employees. Very large corporations are starting to use social media tools, for instance LinkedIn, to troll online for potential job candidates. LinkedIn, has over 6 million followers, which has created a social networking Rolodex for potential employees. One manager handling staffing for Starbucks swears by LinkedIn and claims to have hired several people recently as a result of her social networking (King, 2006).
Unfortunately, there is a reverse side of social networking which can also be just as formidable. Some employees may have privacy issues with companies and feel they have been violated, especially with non-work-related sites, such as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. "A number of companies are using public social networks to spy on employees," says Danah
Kenneth Morrow
University of Maryland University College
18 March 2012 Abstract
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, MySpace are all social networking sites that the majority of today’s society have heard of and more than likely use on a daily basis. These sites can be useful tools for a plethora of information and do have added quality in the workplace. However, if employers and employees do not use these sites properly or more importantly understand the dangers of social networking there can be alarming consequences that could include loss of occupation, serious liability claims, or never acquire employment at all. Constant vigilance and reminders that social networking is not private must be in the forethought of all employees and employers with consideration to the workplace.
Dangers of Social Networking within the Workplace
Introduction/Background:
Social networking has swept across the globe becoming not just part of our personal and work lives, but consuming our entire existence. There are benefits of social networking in the workplace that brings vast amounts of information and people together. One such benefit is recruiting for new employees. Very large corporations are starting to use social media tools, for instance LinkedIn, to troll online for potential job candidates. LinkedIn, has over 6 million followers, which has created a social networking Rolodex for potential employees. One manager handling staffing for Starbucks swears by LinkedIn and claims to have hired several people recently as a result of her social networking (King, 2006).
Unfortunately, there is a reverse side of social networking which can also be just as formidable. Some employees may have privacy issues with companies and feel they have been violated, especially with non-work-related sites, such as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. "A number of companies are using public social networks to spy on employees," says Danah