Is Social Media at Work Changing Your Workplace for the Better?
There’s no question that technology is changing the workplace. Some changes are trendy fads, while others make the workplace easier and more efficient. Controlling wasted time is essential as employees can become distracted surfing the web and reading online newspapers. On the other hand, what some of us call toys, other generations call essential tools. When you consider that your new employee base will include many Generation Y employees, you need to learn how to identify the new line between tools and toys.
Current Attitudes about Technology May Be Different Than Yours
Cisco is a company known for its ability to stay on the very cutting edge of technology. Every year, Cisco, conducts a research project for the purpose of showing how technology continues to transform the workplace. This year’s research made the following observations:
- Younger employees say their mobile device (smartphones, etc.) is the most important technology in their lives. In fact, many consider a company provided smartphone a greater perk than a pay raise.
- Over 70% of employees say they have “friended” their bosses on social media sites such as Facebook. That means that not only can employees see into their bosses’ private lives, but also bosses can see into their employees’ private lives. Almost all of the respondents want to check their Facebook pages at least once daily.
- Over 50% of those surveyed said they would rather lose their wallet than their smartphone because mobile devices and smartphones have become so integrated into their lives.
- About 25% say that not having remote access would make a difference in their job decisions (to accept or stay at a job). One third of them go so far as to say that working remotely with a flexible schedule would be considered a “right” rather than a privilege.
- Even more surprising is that 40% of all surveyed said they would accept lower pay if the job included flexibility in choosing a mobile device/smartphone, access to social media and mobility.
To Tweet, or not to Tweet; that is the question
If you are intent on holding the line and say no to social media and web surfing on the job, you may want to reconsider. Not allowing web surfing and social media access at work could cost you some of the younger talent your company needs. Such activities are methods for the new generation to gather ideas and information and can actually increase their productivity at work.
Banning Social Media Doesn’t Work
In order to retain the best and brightest of the new generation, you may need to modify your ideas about what constitutes “time-wasters” and what constitutes productivity incentives. When so much of life has become centered on social media participation, banning it does little more than create a point of conflict. Even if you block social media sites with your internet firewall, there are so many people using smartphones for social media, you are not going to stop it anyway. It is better to show trust in employees instead of banning activities and then trying to police them.
What Can Social Media Do for Your Company?
Social media sites are the new marketing media. Many marketers have learned that encouraging people to communication about the company and its products or services actually helps them increase business. Establishing a social media-friendly work environment could serve the company well when you encourage employees to manage company social media sites. That provides the company with an opportunity to promote itself.
CBR Can Help You Adjust to the New Modern Age
As an HR outsourcing company, CBR employs human resources professionals who are eager to share their ideas and talents to help companies prosper. Give us a call at (888) 700-8512 and let us review your human resources needs and offer tailor-made solutions how your company can benefit. Talk to one of our HR professionals about taking over some of your time-consuming human resources issues. You can request a free compliance audit or request a proposal through our website.
