New report on social media gives guidance to employers

You may remember the numerous (not to mention occasionally amusing) cautionary tales from case law concerning inappropriate social media content from the Virgin Atlantic passengers described as ‘chavs’ to Kevin Pietersen, complaining about his deselection.

The Institute for Employment Studies has issued a new report (commissioned by ACAS – the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service), to look at the ever changing face of social networking, mobile information and communication technologies and their role and impact in the workplace.

ACAS has issued factsheets which deal with the impact of social networking on recruitment, discipline and grievance issues, managing performance and defamation, data protection and privacy, which are well worth a read. Please download them here.

Employers are advised to draw up a policy on social networking, ensure consistency of approach by dealing with ‘online’ electronic behaviour in the same way as ‘offline’ non electronic behaviour, and trying to have a sensible and proportionate approach to dealing with behaviour by reference to its actual impact on the organisation.