1. Living With Social Media in
the Workplace
Presented by
Rebecca Regard, MBA PHR

2. Friendly Reminder
• Not an attorney.
• Not a substitute for experienced legal
counsel.
• Not providing legal advice.

3. Agenda
• What is new? What is changing?
• Business Use
– Marketing, Recruiting, Sales
• Social Media as a Liability
– How to Mitigate
– Social Media Policies/Tips for Writing
One
• In the News…
– Employers asking for password

4. Changing the Workplace
• Time management
• EE job to monitor/write
• New policies
• Make EE’s feel connected
• Increase camaraderie

5. Business Practices
• Recruiting
• Building your Brand
• Increased publicity & exposure
• Additional policies
• Becoming expected not just desired
• In the news
– Asking candidates for passwords
lawmakers considering banning it.

6. What’s out there?
• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Google +
• Pinterest
(who would have
thought?)
• Tumblr

7. Advantage for Companies?
• Demonstrate expertise
• Awards & recognition
• Generate interest

8. Advantage for Companies
• Marketing
• Collect data
• Give your company a voice

9. Advantage for companies
• Recruiting
– Post jobs
– Find candidates
• “Passive” candidates
• Target high-potential
• Alumni referrals
– Provide inside look

10. Advantage for companies
• Sales
– Increase your brand
• Starbucks

11. Lay Down the Law
• Social media can be a liability!
– Red Cross
– Chrysler
– Termination
– Harassment
• HIPPA
• GINA
• Protected class
• Inaccurate portrayal

12. To Use or Not to Use?
• Should you use social media to
research job candidates?
– Why?
– What are you hoping to find?
– Good or Bad?

13. Bad Publicity
• McDonald’s
#mcdstories
• Intentional
sabotage

14. Safety Net?
• Where is the law?
• Social media policy
• Additional company policies
• Limit access
• Training, training, training…
• Act quickly

15. Ask for Facebook Password?
• Facebook’s standpoint
• ACLU
• What’s the risk?
– Protected classes
– Disability
– GINA
• Ex: Leukemia, eating disorder
– FCRA
• Accurate? Current?
• More info isn’t necessarily a good thing.

16. Social Media Policy
• Corporate defense strategy
• Mitigate risk
• Clarifies guidelines/expectations
• Think BEFORE you tweet…

17. A Good Social Media Policy…
• Social media specific
• Customized
• Avoid being too broad
• BUT not too specific
• Consult legal counsel
• Example
– “Rules” or “Guidelines”
– Educate and warn

18. To Review…
• Social media has & will continue to
impact both the workplace
environment and everyday business
practices.
• Can be advantageous (recruiting)
and a liability (#bashtag).
• Proactive planning is vital!
• Social Media Policy.

19. Thank You!
• Contact Information:
Rebecca Regard
rregard@gnapartners.com
(713)235-8205