Discrimination risks involved with social media use

Social media use by employees can present risks for employers relating to discrimination, bullying and harassment including:

• Employees using employer provided information technology (IT) systems and/ or equipment to sexually harass a colleague by posting comments on sites such as Facebook or Twitter,
• Employees posting bullying or offensive comments about other employees on social media sites from a home computer; and
• Employees using employer provided IT systems and/ or equipment to view, post or distribute material that is discriminatory, pornographic or otherwise offensive.

It is important for employers to have a policy in place which sets out clear guidelines for social media use.