December 17, 2010
Social networking sites such as ‘Facebook’ and ‘Twitter’ can be excellent tools for business owners and their staff to market and network the business’ goods and services.
The professional marketing site ‘LinkedIn’ states that it has gained more than a million new UK members this year. These new members add to a worldwide networking population of approximately 85 million on this site alone. It is the ability of networking sites to connect people across geographical boundaries and to provide access to an almost inexhaustible supply of ideas, information, resources and contacts that makes sites such as this a valuable business tool.
However, social networking sites also have the potential to mobilise workers at the touch of a button in the event of a dispute. This potential for escalating unrest amongst workforces has caused the Chief Conciliation Officer of ACAS to issue a warning to employers about the role of technology in prompting unofficial industrial action including strikes, demonstrations and flash mobs. He said that employers should remain vigilant and have adequate information technology policies in place to control the personal use of social networking sites during working hours. Of the utmost importance however, is that employers maintain good communication with their workforce and tackle any issues or disputes that arise as soon as possible.
