Training Today: Social Work?

With all the talk about using social media for training, some organizations are not quite ready to jump on the Facebook bandwagon. More than half (51 percent) of chief information officer (CIO) respondents said they permit employees to use social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook on the job as long as it’s for business purposes, according to a Robert Half Technology survey of more than 1,400 CIOs from companies across the U.S. with 100 or more employees. This is up from 19 percent in 2009. But while firms may be more open to the business applications of social media, more than one out of three (31 percent) organizations still prohibit it completely at the office.

CIOs were asked, “Which of the following most closely describes your company’s policy on visiting social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, while at work?” Their responses:

Prohibited completely

2011: 31%

2009: 54%

Permitted for business purposes only

2011: 51%

2009: 19%

Permitted for limited personal use

2011: 14%

2009: 16%

Permitted for any type of personal use

2011: 4%

2009: 10%

Don’t know/no answer

2011: 0%

2009: 1%

Robert Half Technology offers four tips for using social media sites in the workplace:

• Know the rules of the road. Make sure you’re clear about what type of social networking use is permitted within your organization.
• Exercise discretion. Never share sensitive or confidential company information or post negative comments about your employer or current or potential clients and customers.
• Get the scoop. If permissible, use social media sites at work to connect with customers and clients, follow thought leaders in your field, or gather industry news.
• Play it safe. If you use social media on behalf of your company, create secure passwords, refrain from clicking on questionable links, and limit access to select employees.