The Importance of a Social Media Policy
The TV presenter Alastair Stewart has recently been in the news following his decision to resign from his position following a quote on social media. Such issues involving social media and employment continue to be common.
Social media platforms are used both inside and outside the workplace. This provides challenges for employers and place an importance of implementing/adopting a thorough social media policy.
The use of social media carries a risk for organisations and may include;
- Comments which could cause reputational damage.
- Employees posting defamatory comments or discriminatory comments which are work related in which their employer would have liability.
- Disclosure of commercially sensitive information.
There are several pieces of employment case law which highlight the importance of having a clear and robust social media policy. Such cases include Crisp v Apple Retail UK, Walters v Asda Stores, and possibly most importantly from a policy perspective Preece v JD Wetherspoon.
In concise terms it is important for an organisation to have a social media policy which protects its own interests and minimises risk. It is also important to communicate the content of such a policy in order that the content is understood.
Please do not hesitate to contact Atom HR for guidance including the drafting of a social media policy and also other employment related documentation.