Maybe this should be titled Social Media OR Work. Lots going on in the news yesterday and today about whether or not people should be involved in social media sites while at the work place. Some workplaces completely block access and some embrace it.
The constant that you hear from people is that it should be okay if you just take a quick break once in a while.
Seriously? Really?
Don't any of you work with someone who is going to slack off and attend to their Facebook or Twitter pages rather than do the work they are being paid for. Do you think the boss will say Sally can use it because she doesn't abuse the privilege but Andy can't because his work is slipping. Nope.You will be doing extra work to make up for what they are ignoring.
I get paid by the hour to do a job. I show up on time, I don't take extra time on my breaks and I sure as heck don't tend to my private business during work time. C'mon people....they are paying you! Money! To work for them!
Wait until your break time to tell your BFF that her hair looked great on Friday night. Don't worry. She will still be there, likely getting paid to do a job while she tweets about her plans for that night. Text your guy about the restaurant after work not during.
What do you think? Are you responsible enough and should be able to use social media sites during your work hours? Do you own a business and think it should be grounds for dismissal or something your responsible staff can handle properly in small doses?
I don't work outside the home, but I would never use any social media while at work and would really object to anyone else doing it. Do it on your own time! That is where the 'Social' part comes in!
ReplyDeleteXO,
Jane
The policy at my employer is that social media is blocked; however, the block is off some upper management. The problem of "abuse" doesn't change because it's management that has access. I'm not going to say I've never clicked on a youtube email attachment to laughed at the funny, but I certainly don't spend my day on the internet on f.book or tw***er. I think it's amusing that the folks I suspect (with reason) are abusing their access are the ones that are always sooooooo busy and don't want to willingly cooperate with initiatives by other departments for anything that isn't outright production. Their department is ALWAYS sooooo swamped.
ReplyDeleteSorry...it strikes a nerve with me...can you tell?
Call me old school but work is for working not socializing with friends.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I am a business coach. I love it when the employees of my client friend me and then I notice their posts during working hours. I agree, you are getting paid for a job. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? REALLY!
ReplyDeleteyou are there to work and work you should be doing...I'm old school on this one...save that crap for your own time...!
ReplyDeleteI dont know--I am a professional, and I do not feel like I need to be treated like a child. Social media is actually relevant to my job, but even if it was not, I expect to be treated like the quality employee I am, and not a child who needs to be monitored. I get my work done, that is the bottom line
ReplyDeleteI wish they would block access at my place of employment. They have not, supposedly people can use the computer when they are on break or at lunch. Which would be fine, if that's what was actually happening. It gripes me to be working - doing what I'm paid to do, what a concept - and see others using FB, checking their e-mails, etc when they are supposed to be on the clock. Just my two cents. Kat
ReplyDeleteThe interesting conundrum for myself and others is that as Paige said these social media outlets are part of our job. Whenever I have to go into our main website (dozens of times a day ) I am encouraged to visit FB and Twitter and help add to our campus life. Ok I know this is being directed at our students but -- this is where it starts so how do you end it??
ReplyDeleteMe personally I have zero time for personal visits during my workday -- I take time during my lunch and each day I cycle through what site I am going to visit. But I always take 5 minutes in the morning after I have taken care of pressing issues to see how everyone is doing.
Its my little break in the morning -- because I don't do coffee.
Hmmm...this would imply that all social media tools are good for is wasting time.
ReplyDeleteI am paid by a company to handle their social media accounts. We use these to market services, reach out to customers and more. How does that figure in to the responsible/irresponsible spectrum as defined in this post?
I understand what you're saying about productivity, but the way it's presented is that using social media at work is always a waste of time, and that's just not true. If there is a problem, it is the responsibility of the employer to fix it. Social media is not the problem. Management is. My .02 on the matter.
You go girl!! I agree completely.
ReplyDeleteWe are paid/expected to do a job....and it isn't up to someone else to monitor us. We are adults and should take responsibility for ourselves and our actions. Work at work....and 'play' during 'playtime'....There is plenty of time for both.
My 'gripe' is social media while DRIVING....even though it is against the law here now, people still do it....(and I actually see people reading a book while driving! How in the WORLD is that safe??) Don't get me started on that one either...sigh.
Hugs and love,
Jackie
I work from home, so it's not really a problem. Well, my husband might disagree. But whatever. I do see a friend online a lot and I know she's at work. It's no wonder more job places are blocking internet.
ReplyDeleteI have successfully used Facebook and Twitter to promote awareness of a recently launched blog - my grandmother May Hill's WWII Diaries - 'Seventy Years On'. The site (URL behind my name) contains a link to a recent item on BBC radio where I was asked to deacribe the experience.
ReplyDelete