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Essay on Social Media Policies Within Organizations

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With more than one billion users, Facebook has changed the way that we communicate with one another. Individuals regularly log on to Facebook from their phones, in their homes, and while they are at work. Companies argue that employees spending time on their personal Facebook accounts at work has led to a decrease in productivity, which corresponds to a decrease in profitability. This decrease has caused some companies to enact measures that keep employees focused on their work assignments and not their Newsfeeds. Instead of taking draconian actions to block Facebook and other social media sites at all times, companies should allow employees to spend limited time on social media because it increases employee morale, increases work …show more content…

By disciplining or terminating “cyber slackers” who abuse social media and company internet access, corporations are able to save approximately $178 billion annually (Vitak, Crouse, & LaRose, 2011). While there may seem to be numerous financial reasons supporting a ban on social media and workplace internet leisure browsing, these studies do not take into effect the increase in worker satisfaction, productivity, and innovation. Allowing Facebook and other social media sites at work can increase the morale of employees while building social capital within the organization and creating a network that will allow the company to recruit talented employees. Morale is increased when workers can take short breaks away from their work assignments to pursue their own interests online. Interpersonal relationships are also strengthened amongst workers within the organization when they interact with one another’s Facebook profiles. Social networks, such as Facebook and Linkedin, allow employees to stay in touch with previous co-workers who could be recruited to the company (Skeels & Grudin, 2009). Employees who are able to access the internet for leisure activities and to update their social media accounts are happier employees compared to those who cannot (Reinecke, 2009). This happiness comes from employees being able to make their own choices on how they spend their time at work. An additional contributing factor is that employees can take

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