[SMS] Should You Block Social Media At Work?

By Josh On May 6, 2010 · 4 Comments

Workplaces have been blocking “unproductive” websites for a long time now. With the increasing popularity of social media companies are being to create social media policies. We firmly believe these policies do more harm than good. Watch the video to find out more.

A huge number of people that use social media sites like Facebook and Twitter now are accessing these communities via web enabled phones (smart phones). Companies are going to find it increasingly harder to blocking these websites from employees. Blocking these site only creates a web of distrust and fear among employees.

Instead companies should make a one page policy stating that employees are there to work, social media is tolerated but lack luster work wont be. If one employee finds themselves sitting on Facebook the entire day then address that employee, if social media becomes a problem handle it then.

Ultimately, these employees could be helping to spread your company’s brand and favor in the market place. Millions of people use social media on a daily basis and those same people are your customers. Allowing employees to interact with others online is a major plus for your brand. Plus, the saving your company benefits from by not have to purchase policing software and additional IT personnel adds up really quickly.

How does your company handle Social Media in the workplace? Do you disagree with our approach? If, so why?

Find more Social Media Short videos here.

If you would like to ask our crew a social media question drop us an email at sms@echelonmedia.com or drop us a comment on the Echelon Media Facebook Fan Page.

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4 Responses to [SMS] Should You Block Social Media At Work?

Benoit says:

May 6, 2010 at 1:58 pm

I agree with you. The minute that you are evaluating your employee by how long they are on the phone, on the web or just plain sleeping and NOT on his work performance, you already have serious problems.

There are extremes of course but like you said, they are best dealt with individually. It will show the other employees that what is most important is performance.

Now I got to get back to my work… 33.5 minutes left before I bolt!

Reply
- Josh says:
  
  May 6, 2010 at 2:09 pm
  
  I believe that giving people more freedom produces more results as a whole. Sure you’ll have one or two people that cant handle that type of flexibility and those people should be dealt with at that time. Punishing everyone and raising the cost of business over some stupid rules only hurts companies.
  
  Plus with wifi and cell phones employees can do just about anything they want anyways. I’d rather have them helping the companies brand and perception online. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
  
  Reply
finn @ golden tech says:

May 13, 2010 at 11:27 am

I know it’s easy to say “measure performance,” and I know that larger businesses can’t alway do the “performance or else” mentality just because of the time (and liability) it would take to remove and replace individuals, so I see both sides. And I see costs on both sides.

Social Media has raised the cost of business (and who said it was FREE?)

So I have to agree the answer is “no,” but with provisos. It depends on business, market, industry.

Cubicle guy…get him to embrace it and promote. Teach him how to use it better.

Blue Collar Guy – might have to reconsider lest that crane fall on ye head while facebooking on ye phone.

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Bruce says:

May 21, 2010 at 1:33 am

I agree with you. The minute that you are evaluating your employee by how long they are on the phone, on the web or just plain sleeping and NOT on his work performance, you already have serious problems.

There are extremes of course but like you said, they are best dealt with individually. It will show the other employees that what is most important is performance.

Now I got to get back to my work… 33.5 minutes left before I bolt!

Reply