With the boom of social networking websites during the last three to four years, the digital divide is lessening. More and more folk are becoming computer savvy with networking with others online on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Myspace. Oftentimes, these online communication methods are used in the office as well, and I find myself more and more getting requests from those I have had a working relationship with in the office. These are not friends per se but associates on an employment level. How do you handle these requests? Where does the work relationship line end and how do you transition these relationships to the social media genre?
It’s a sticky topic of course. In the last office I worked in, social networking was not allowed during work hours on company computers or on wireless devices while we were on the clock. There were a few times, however, that I received requests by those I worked with on Facebook and Twitter. I didn’t mind taking our relationship to the social networking sites for SOME of the people who requested me, but for others, I didn’t want them invading my net-space.
How do you handle such conundrums?
In order not to be rude, I suggest you create two accounts for your Facebook. One account can be for your friends and family, ones who you have a personal relationship with. The other can be for more networking relationships such as those you work with in the office. I think this is the best way to handle this situation, in order not to hurt anyone’s feelings or ripple the tide in the office.
Facebook for a fact, has gotten people fired, not because its being used in the office, but because of information and statements made on it about an employer, employee, etc. Big brother is always watching and this can complicate things.
Be mindful of that.
Social networking is beneficial to almost everyone who uses it to their advantage. But now, there is a whole list of new rules that must be developed in order to ensure your reputation in the office.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Create a different account for your business and personal relationships.
- Do not use social networking in the office, unless it is allowed per your company and employee manual.
- Be mindful of everything that you write online. Status messages and other content can be searchable on the Internet, even if the person is not your “friend” or they don’t “follow” you.
- Using your real name on social networking sites can make you found that much easier. Be mindful of that if you want to remain low-key online.
- Be mindful of what you put online. It can come back to haunt you. Utilize social networks by being smart and being proactive and not reactive.
It’s a social networking jungle out there. Know the rules, be smart, and be careful about the way you communicate on the Internet.
I'm a teacher and one of my students parents is following me on twitter! WTH? When I found this out it made me very uncomfortable. But i didn't want to block her because that might have created tension. I really don't want her following me.
Wow, that is a messed up situation? Have you thought of setting up a separate acct for maybe parents and stuff?
I wouldn't want to follow my son's teacher(s) unless they had a professional account set up to give us updates on what's going on in the classroom. It's awkward though, I can see how you wouldn't want them following you when you aren't on duty, so to speak.
I don't want to set up any other accounts. I have a hard enough time maintaining twitter, facebook and my blog. So I wont develop new accounts. My social media stuff has nothing to do with my job. So I don't know why she is following me. Oh well, I guess she has to endure the fact that her son's teacher curses like a sailor! LOL
I try not to tell my co workers my info for my social networking site. Some of them listen to The Kenny Burns Show and they shout me out periodically, sooo one of them says she read my twitter page and saw Ludacris RT me. I was like OMG because i've talked about her on my twitter before. lmaooo Crazy
LOL! I am beginning to set up different accounts and just maintain them all through hootsuite. That is the best solution I can find and another is I do not friend current bosses unless it is freelance. The Big Brother does not get on page period.
It really all depends on the individual in question, if you get along with them and talk to them on a steady, regular basis and they themselves are nice to talk to, by all means add them.
But it really just depends on the person, I for one wouldn't accept any friend requests from Tom, Dick or Harry purely on the basis that they work in the same building as me, however if they willingly talk to you and make an effort to spark any chit chat then I don't see the problem.
It really all depends on the individual in question, if you get along with them and talk to them on a steady, regular basis and they themselves are nice to talk to, by all means add them.
I’d advise the teacher to delete ur twitter acct and set up a new opne. Send a DM to your followers and or make ur page private
It depends on what your using the Social Networks for and that depends upon the person.
On my facebook page, I ignore requests from co-workers. I know that sounds and probably is mean but from 9 – 5 we are coworkers, after I leave the building, I am on my own time. I don't want my personal getting caught up with my job. I tend to keep my facebook clean, but I do have some people that I only network with that I have set up in a "networking group" in which they can only see my Info Page and photos that may have to do with my solo business. For me that works better than having 2 facebook pages to maintain.
I do not add people from work to my social media sites. I have a former boss and coworker added on my FB but we added each other after we were all laid off. My professional life and my personal life do not go together. I prefer not to mix with my coworkers via social media. Having worked in offices where gossip and rumors spread like wildfire, I learned to keep certain aspects of my private life private.
Great post, Danyelle! You are right about the need to balance things between work and play. I know that, in the past, if I’ve known my bosses were on FB, I didn’t add them until after my time at work ended, because I’ve always heard that it makes for a weird dynamic. However, the irony is that when you are building a business, you really want to have the people above you in the business on your list. One rule that I’ve heard is a good one is the “grandma rule.” In other words, if it would offend your grandma, don’t put it up there. I guess some people got used to FB when it actually was relatively private and started putting things up as if they were anonymous.
When it comes to social media and the 9-5 I act like i barely exist on their…linked in…what is that? Facebook? Twitter…lol!