Understanding social media and how it affects your business?
THE growth of social media has undoubtedly revolutionised the way we do business. Web tools such as Twitter and Facebook are now imperative marketing assets for any successful company. However, whilst the benefits are obvious, social media is also costing the UK millions in lost profits.
More than a tenth of UK adults workers surveyed by YouGov use social media at least once per hour during the working day. It also revealed that more than a quarter of workers surveyed say that the businesses they work in do not have policies in place for social media, internet or email use. A further 14% do not know whether their company has these policies in place.
As well as the 15% looking at the internet once an hour, the online survey found 6% of workers are doing this more than three times an hour. Male employees are the biggest offenders with 19% confessing to logging on at least once per hour compared to 10% of females. And it is bad news for the capital’s businesses as Londoners are the most likely to surf the net for personal use during the day (42%).
HR team sees increase in calls to Employer Advice Line
Consultants at P3 People Management, Manchester’s leading HR consultancy, have noticed an increase in the number of bosses calling its Employer Advice Line about the use of social media in the workplace. Charlotte Gallagher, managing director of P3 People Management says: “With the popularity of social media, it is important that an employer has the right policies in place which clearly set out what employees can and can’t do. High-profile legal cases involving Twitter and Facebook users at work should serve as a warning to employers of the dangers of not having clear policies in place.”
Charlotte adds: “Here at P3 People Management we offer an Employer Advice Line where clients can get guidance and advice on every aspect of HR, including the complexity of employment law, and ensure that whatever the problem it is resolved in a positive, timely and legally compliant way. We can also draw up policies and procedures so that employees clearly know their rights, especially when it comes to internet use. It is completely acceptable for employers to limit internet use during times when employees are expected to be working as it obviously has an impact on productivity. However, access could be offered before or after work, or during official break.”
For guidance or advice on any HR matter, contact P3 People Management on 0161 941 2426 or visit www.p3pm.co.uk
