Law Society of Scotland pushes social media policies

Employment Law & HR update 21/07/2011

Businesses must implement a social media policy that fits their needs, according to The Law Society of Scotland.

The organisation is urging firms of all sizes – and across all sectors – to tailor such a policy to their own business. Whilst social media allows businesses to connect with customers and to share information, it brings with it certain issues.

The Law Society has warned employers that not having a policy in place could leave them open to certain risks.

Member of the Law Society of Scotland's Employment Law Committee, Eilidh Wiseman, said, “Social media access in the workplace is an issue and can expose employers to a number of risks ranging from low- level concerns like time-wasting to more serious consequences such as posting a defamatory comment online.

“Employers, even those who do not embrace social media themselves, will have employees who do. Creating a social media policy, which provides guidance for employees, is essential,” Ms Wiseman added.

She went on to say that, whilst the ‘actual incidences of social media misuse are few,’ it is crucial to recognise and try to prevent potential issues.

The most common concerns amongst employers regarding social media in the workplace included employees using the sites excessively during working hours. Staff members making inappropriate comments about the firm on the social networking sites was also listed as a top concern by employers.

The importance of tailoring a social media policy to the specific business and its people cannot be overlooked.