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Social Media in the Workplace

Social Media in the Workplace

People use social media to post pictures, express feelings and initiate political debates. It’s our first amendment right. However, once it starts infringing on company private or intellectual property, problems can ensue. Up to what point can a boss “suggest” what is acceptable for public posting?

Further, people use social media publicly to display their private lives. Many companies will go ahead and look up your Twitter, Instagram or Facebook to get a better idea of you who are. What they see may not bode well for you. If you can be labeled as irresponsible or a potential embarrassment, they might revoke that job offer. Do these companies have a right to glance at your private life and judge you based off your pictures instead of what you bring to the table? How many guidelines can a company release before employees start rebelling?

Social media gets a pretty bad rap, especially when it’s being used in the workplace. Some say it’s distracting, others go as far as labeling social media as dangerous. Local professionals have a different view.

Social media has been a huge help to Adam Roark, local Gainesville attorney. Roark attributes the growth of his business to the ease of self-promotion social media provides. People leave reviews on his Facebook page, publicly reinforcing the positive qualities of his business. However, Roark cautions that businesses have to be aware of the fact that the consumer is no longer silent. With Facebook, Yelp, Twitter, and other sites, the public can find out about any mistreatments or disasters. Everyone is accountable for everything.

Melissa Long, senior director of human resources at the University of Florida, has never had it easier thanks to social media. When Alumni Affairs is recruiting, the whole process is now exported to LinkedIn. Job posts become available online, and applicants start sending in their information electronically. Applicants are then filtered with keywords, leaving a fraction of applicants to be glanced over by hirers. The downside? Employers do miss out on face-to-face time with an individual. A huge importance is placed on looking good on paper.

Social media has made it easier than ever to stay connected, expedite processes and fling advertisements to the furthest corners of the world. Maybe social media has made employees less productive, but if they’re getting the job done, it’s not much different from doodling or daydreaming. The trick is to make the best of it. When used properly, social media is a panacea. Like everything else, social media has its downsides. If you have any doubts as to what you’re posting, don’t post it. Say it with me: When in doubt, leave it out. Be smart with how you use social media, and it’ll be the best tool you own.

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Bio:

Nicolle is a linguistics major at UF. You can usually find her at a $5 movie bin or any Viet joint, spilling food everywhere. She hopes to figure out her life before graduation, but in the meantime, she’ll settle for listening to her growing record collection or complaining about the humidity.

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