How to manage social media liability risks associated with employees’ online activities?
To help companies navigate the complex landscape of social media liability, we’ve gathered six essential guidelines from CEOs and Partners. From establishing clear social media usage guidelines to defining acceptable behavior and conduct norms, these insights will help you manage the risks associated with your employees’ online activities.
- Establish Clear Social Media Usage Guidelines
- Regularly Update Your Social Media Policy
- Implement Training and Awareness Programs
- Adopt a Transparent Online Behavior Rule
- Secure Social Media Asset Permissions
- Define Acceptable Behavior and Conduct Norms
Establish Clear Social Media Usage Guidelines
Managing social media liability risks is essential in today’s interconnected world. To mitigate these risks, companies should establish a social media usage guideline that clearly defines the boundaries of acceptable online behavior. This policy should emphasize the importance of respecting confidentiality, avoiding the disclosure of proprietary information, and refraining from engaging in harmful or offensive discussions related to the company or its employees.
Additionally, it’s crucial to educate employees about the potential consequences of their online actions and the impact they can have on the company’s reputation. By promoting responsible social media usage and providing regular training, companies can significantly reduce the risks associated with employees’ online activities.
Mike Schmidt
Civil Trial Law Specialist, Personal Injury Trial Law Specialist by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy., Schmidt & Clark
Regularly Update Your Social Media Policy
Periodically review and update the social media policy to adapt to changing online trends and potential risks. This ongoing process is crucial for maintaining the relevance and effectiveness of the policy. With the dynamic nature of social media platforms and the ever-evolving online landscape, it’s imperative that companies stay ahead of emerging risks.
By revisiting the policy regularly, organizations can incorporate the latest industry best practices, legal requirements, and technological advancements. Moreover, these updates demonstrate the company’s commitment to staying vigilant and responsive in addressing social media liability issues, thereby fostering a culture of accountability and adaptability among employees.
Douglas Mercer
Automotive Service Manager, Automotive Service Manager
Implement Training and Awareness Programs
Operating in a sensitive space, we understand the importance of our mission and how vital it is that we engage our community members proactively.
To mitigate social media liability risks, we provide training and awareness programs to every member of our team, emphasizing the importance of respect and professionalism. The training also delves into the potential consequences of sharing inappropriate or inaccurate information and the impact it can have on our community’s trust. Just as important, our employees learn to approach every online interaction with the same level of warmth and empathy that our families not only expect but also deserve.
By instilling these principles in our team, we ensure that our platform remains a trusted and secure space for those who rely on us for support.
Seth Besse
CEO, Undivided
Adopt a Transparent Online Behavior Rule
At Pender & Howe, we have one simple rule: if you have to hide it, don’t post it.
It may sound harsh, but in today’s world, there is no clear line between your work and home personalities. What you do online reflects on the company as a whole, and workers should moderate their behavior accordingly, even if they’ve taken steps to keep their web identity anonymous.
This policy has never been challenged, and to be honest, if an employee had a problem with it, I’d consider that a red flag. I don’t want to hire anyone for whom appropriateness is a difficulty. It’s not about creating a facade of political correctness; it’s about being a good person more generally.
Travis Hann
Partner, Pender & Howe
Secure Social Media Asset Permissions
Whenever I talk about risk mitigation, my clients’ eyes generally gloss over, but for your brand assets, you can’t be too careful. Hands down, I try to get every single client to take stock of their social media asset permissions and make sure there are multiple admins for every account.
Here’s the kicker you might not think about: Make sure every single person that touches your social media platforms also has two-factor authentication on their email account. It’s tempting to use personal Gmail accounts for access, but I’ve seen accounts get hacked through one person’s personal account.
So, lock that down and set up your policies for access and check it frequently. You put a lot of time and money into your social platforms—protect them!
Michelle Tresemer
Marketing Strategist, Foundations First Marketing
Define Acceptable Behavior and Conduct Norms
Companies must have a defined social media usage policy to reduce employee liability for online activity. This policy should clearly define acceptable behavior, especially while representing the company or discussing work on social media. Professional conduct norms should emphasize professionalism, secrecy, and the separation of personal and professional social media use.
Training and tools are essential to ensure employees understand and follow the policy. Workshops, seminars, and online modules can show workplace social media etiquette. The policy should state the company’s right to monitor company-related social media and penalties for non-compliance. The policy must be updated and reviewed regularly to stay relevant and successful in the changing social media and online conduct scene.
A clear social media usage policy, adequate training, and consistent enforcement can significantly reduce the risks associated with employees’ online activities, protecting the company from potential.
Hassan Sanders
CEO, Diabetic Insurance Solutions
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