What’s your social media policy?
What’s your social media policy?
As of January 2021, over 75% of adults in the UK actively use social media. Your employees are communicating with the ‘outside’ world regularly, but what they say can have a detrimental effect on your business and risk harming its reputation.
Employees misusing social media can also have legal implications for your business. Employees can misuse social media by posting inappropriate comments about the business, disrespecting other members of staff online and sharing offensive posts – also known as cyber bullying.
If an employee has posted offensive content on their social media and it’s been seen by others, the employer could be liable if it was done ‘in the course of employment’.
You need to ensure you have a social media policy in place to:
• Protect your business’ reputation
• Provide clear guidance to the employee about what is acceptable and what isn’t. If legal issues arise, the company can enforce the penalty stated in the handbook.
Remember – social media can also be used positively! By employees sharing posts, they’re creating positive brand awareness and promoting the company. Having a policy in place is an opportunity to educate employees about the proper way to engage with others online. If done properly, you can turn your employees into your biggest brand advocates.
Members of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce have access to Chamber Protect. The Chamber Protect service providers can review your current policies and write specific social media policies for your business to save your business from being liable. Please get in touch if you’d like further information.
If you’re yet to be a member, you can register here to access Chamber Protect, along with many other exclusive benefits.
© Cumbria Chamber of Commerce