Employers should have policies in place covering the use at work of social networking websites such as Facebook, the TUC has said. The call came with the publication of the TUC’s own advice for both employers and staff on access to networking sites during working hours. The TUC pointed out that employers were entirely within their rights to ban employees from logging onto social websites while they are at the office. The guidance also accepts the concerns of employers that information posted on social networking sites may run the risk of compromising commercial confidentiality. However, the TUC warned that a total ban could be an over-reaction. Most employees should be trusted to spend a few minutes of their lunchbreaks making plans for life outside work or getting in touch with friends online. To avoid misunderstandings, employers should draw up clear policies governing the use of social websites in the workplace and the personal conduct of staff who access them. With increasing numbers of employees facing disciplinary action over their online conduct, unambiguous policies on networking website use would help to prevent problems arising in the first place, the TUC said. Brendan Barber, the TUC’s general secretary, commented: “Simply cracking down on use of new web tools like Facebook is not a sensible solution to a problem, which is only going to get bigger. Better to invest a little time in working out sensible conduct guidelines, so that there don’t need to be any nasty surprises for staff or employers.” Date:30 August 2007
Content by: Made Simple Group
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