Employee Rights

 

         Online social networking, like Facebook and twitter, are being used by more and more companies as a business tool. In time, companies will have to adopt policies regarding the use of the social media sites during work hours. Many people enjoy using social media sites, and more people are getting acquainted with the sites, so that the sites are “ingrained” into their lives.

          According to Robert Sprague in Invasion of the Social Networks: Blurring the Line Between Personal Life and the Employment Relationship, “When objectionable, particularly potentially harassing, content is posted online, prompt, remedial action by the employer is imperative to reduce, if not eliminate, potential liability” (p.34). Employer’s actions when enforcing the companies’ policies needs to be consistent when dealing with employees. If an employer, or manager, does not consistently enforce the policies, then it can open the organization up for an illegal discrimination lawsuit.

          I think I was raised with different work ethics than some of the younger generation; for example, I believe when you are at work you should be working. With that being said, I know that some companies allow social media sites to be checked/used during work hours if the work is getting done. In order to prevent legal issues from arising, it would be best to have one policy not multiple policies.

          Susan Manning explains that “working conditions, roles, and responsibilities bring forward ethical issues in businesses,” and she is right (p.40). Our ethical guidelines cannot address every issue that comes up, but they are not meant to address every issue. It is our responsibility to understand the big issues, and what is the best course of action to take. I think that it is a good idea to pay attention to the way that we handle the smaller issues, because it will give us some insight into how we will handle the bigger issues. 

References

Manning, Susan. (2003). Ethical Leadership in Human Services: A Multi-Dimensional Approach. Pearson, Allyn and Beacon, New York.

Sprague, R. (2011). Invasion of the Social Networks: Blurring the Line Between Personal Life and the Employment Relationship. University Of Louisville Law Review, 50(1), 1-34.