Essay on Managing the Workplace Ethics of Social Media

Social networks have been making a splash in the internet world over the past couple of years. In some studies into the monitoring of social media activity by employees has

The usage of social networking sites in today’s society has reached new levels due to the recent advancements in technology that are available to worldwide users. Because of the improvements in technology, it is common for many businesses to make adjustments to its policies and procedures to meet the needs of their customers. This strategic planning allows the companies to reach new audiences, a strategy which further enhances the company’s relationship with its customers.

A growing hot topic, and cause for concern is the increasing use of social media in the workplace. The landscape for communication has changed, and the line between personal and professional communications has been blurred. How will your employer manage the risks associated with the use of social media and at the same time, gain the benefits that this media form provides? While many employers were initially concerned that employees would use company time and equipment for socializing with friends, they are quickly learning that many social networks can also be used directly for work purposes.

The purpose of this literary review is to enlighten my viewers of the importance of the ethical idea of companies crossing the lines of business with your personal life, when involving social media accounts. Most of my research has operated from the ATU library using the find it tool. Furthermost, the researched information use was from peer-reviewed research journal. I will discuss includes social media cons in the work environment, if it is ethical to get fired over a post, and laws that protect both parties. Social media includes an assortment of electronic communications—most commonly networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Myspace, Pinterest, Instagram, and the likes thereof. Social media also covers all forms of blogs, including Twitter (a micro-blog), wikis, online journals, diaries, personal newsletters, and World of Warfare and YouTube also are included under the umbrella term of social media (Lieber 2011).

The second way in which social media use in the workplace can be counter productive, is that if your attention is taken away from your work duties it can potentially put you and your co-workers in an unsafe environment.

We cannot deny how big of an impact social media has on our lives now, not only on people but businesses too. It has opened a whole new door to the business world and given them a big opportunity to interact and attract a larger amount of customers. It’s given us a new and faster way of communication by exchanging pictures, stories, news, blogs, online discussions, etc. In exchange businesses have benefited by a long shot just by the click of a button. With the help of the Internet a company no longer is dependent on a particular customer base to survive because now it can reach out to a worldwide audience within seconds. It’s imaginable the countless business attributes of all social media to this day and still is growing. Social media

Even though the original intention and many conservative business people still see social media as only intended for connecting friends, it has grown to be an important tool in management of both business and customer information as well as a marketing tool. As a result, social media has been one of the best business innovations in transforming the way business is transacted. Regardless of the conservative lot mentioned above, majority of business leaders have taken up social media as a tool in management of employees, marketing and communication.

Social media is capable of connecting a brand with its consumers and discover how they are being perceived, it also has the power to change perceptions and identify the key people within the business network. The unique feature of social media is that it can provide corporations and businesses solutions developed through operating with consumers and stakeholders. Basically, social media serves as a visible connection to one’s corporation and its stakeholders, consumers, suppliers, etc, who each have a defined role within the system to filter and regulate information. As mentioned earlier, the influence of social media is spreading in a proliferative pace that has resulted to an essential transformation in society, technology and business customs.

In the earlier days the organizations are mainly planned according to the customer’s needs and about the adopting the new technologies for their development of their business. Then dint even think about the social media in that stage. When the social media was introduced

The company should take the knowledge of the top social media tools among their audience and make every effort to engage with its audience on these

Social networking sites such as Twitter or Facebook have created a new ethical dilemma for many businesses. Corporations, small businesses, and even universities are struggling create policies to manage their employees social networking behaviors. Social networking access, particularly for recruiters, can provide personal information about potential employees, which would otherwise not be available. A business must follow statutes and guidelines when disclosing information to the public. Individuals on social networking sites have no such constraints. Employees can and do make comments about their employers online. Employers can and do watch what employees post online. Any individual can send or post potentially damaging information

Social media is becoming an increasingly common feature of
the world of work and this trend looks set to continue. This application of communication technology or computer mediated tools have developed rapidly in our lives. Survey such as that conducted by CIPD (2013) have shown that while only a quarter of UK employees use it in their professional lives, this increases to 42% among employees aged 18–24. The innovative operation mode of social media has not only successfully drawn the attention of industry and academia, but has also boosted user growth, especially in the younger generation.

In the past few years, social media has become a powerful influence as a new marketing tool. It is still relatively new, but it continues to be a part of marketing strategy for various industries. According to the article "Integrating Social Media into the Workplace: A Study of Shifting Technology Use Repertoires." By Walden, Justin, this study demonstrates that social media is used routinely, employees are distracted from tasks and threatens of personal privacy. The learning curve is still pretty high for most companies. Knowledge by professionals is through trial and error as social media marketing evolves more over time. There are many challenges businesses are faced with everyday plus managing the use of social media. It can be overwhelming and frustrating for companies understand this confusing network of navigating social media in the workplace.

Today, many businesses are experiencing the effects of social media. Government, businesses, and communities interact through social media and use it to access their investors and potential customers. According to Donovan (2016), “Most types of businesses today make use of different tactics and techniques to make a significant exposure of their website to its target customers.” The goal is to use social media to maximize their potential in order to be one of the strongest participants in the business world.

People are increasingly sharing their lives online through social networking sites with little concern for who may be viewing their information. This has become an issue in current times and is up for debate based on the ethical issues associated with Social Media. People don’t realize joining a social network is like joining a community. As any community in real life, your business has a place in the community but should not invade one’s privacy. Social networking is one of the most popular methods apart from forum marketing that is available to Internet users today. Places like MySpace and Facebook among others have gone from just social interaction spaces to a part time marketing program as