Social Networks & the Workforce

Social networking sites, such as MySpace (over 70 million active users) and Facebook (over 30 million active users), are now amongst the most visited sites on the Web. Employees who spend part of their workday on online social networks are becoming more prevalent the workplace. Some companies have gone so far as to block employees from social networking sites, whereas others are embracing and incorporating social networks into their employees' workday.

Dow Chemical, for example, is launching a social network for its employees and retirees. The network will have specific forums, such as one targeting working mothers. Companies that incorporate social networks recognize that these structures can act as an information and resource warehouse, which employees and managers can tap into to share information and expertise. A side benefit may also be employee retention, since one of the primary reasons for employees staying with a company is the people that they work with, and social networks offer a way to strengthen relationships between employees.

Other companies encourage employees to include clients, vendors and industry peers in their social networks to help establish and maintain relationships. Companies that move down this path may want to initiate guidelines for employees versus relying on the employees to self-police themselves. Policies regarding social networks should also address all locations, such as work, home and on the road, and all access mediums, including desktop computers, laptops, wireless devices and mobile phones.

Regardless of your company's policy and approach to social networks, they are here to stay, and your employees will continue to use them. Fighting them may cause conflict, and the most ideal approach may be to determine how to incorporate them into your workflow and take advantage of them.