Managing social media use by employees

The growth of social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, has had many benefits for business including increased business exposure, engagement with customers and cost-effective marketing.

However, social media use by employees can present a range of challenges for employers, including employees:

• spending too much time on social media sites during work hours;
• bullying, vilifying, victimising, sexually harassing or otherwise engaging in inappropriate or unlawful behaviour towards a colleague via social media sites;
• viewing, posting or distributing material that is discriminatory, pornographic or otherwise offensive; and
• posting information or comments on social media sites which damages the employer’s interests, brand and/or reputation.