Social media – particularly web-based social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter – have exploded in popularity over recent years and a large number of employees are active on social networking sites, whether employers are aware of their activity or not. Many employees visit social media sites during work hours, whether using workplace computers or personal mobile devices.
The explosion of social media brings a host of new workplace issues, both good and bad. Social media offers new and often affordable opportunities to market, advertise, recruit and communicate. Nevertheless, social media can also present some thorny workplace issues and one of the more challenging aspects of social media is that the relative risks and benefits vary by industry, business, individual position and even by the particular technology being used. This chapter addresses some of those issues and provides practical advice about what employers should do with respect to social media in the hiring, supervision, discipline and firing of employees. Although it is by no means comprehensive, this chapter is intended to discuss some general concepts at play. The bottom line is that social media evolves on a daily basis and traditional employment law principles are constantly being tested...
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