IMS Manthan (The Journal of Mgt., Comp. Science & Journalism)

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Human Resources in the New Cyber-Landscape: The Implications of Social Networking on Employee Discipline and Termination


Affiliations
1 School of Business, University of Indianapolis, United States
2 The New Radar LLC, Indiana, United States
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


The age of social media has blanketed the globe with staggering speed and potency. Businesses have recognized the possibilities of such sites and have begun leveraging the power of the trend for an increased bottom-line, but with the dawning of this new era of "connectedness" comes a host of potential pitfalls for human resource managers that did not previously exist. Posts, tweets and uploads in social media outlets present a variety of possible complications that could lead to employee discipline or termination. Caution must be used when making such personnel decisions as these carry significant implications upon employee privacy, labor relations, and other personal rights issues.

This paper analyzes the most popular social media sites around the world, as well as explore the effects of these sites on human resource management. The paper provides especially an analysis of legal cases from around the globe dealing with personnel issues stemming from the use of such sites. Finally, the paper provides recommended strategies for preventing such issues and for administering appropriate disciplinary measures when a problem does arise. For purposes of this paper, the terms "social networks", "social networking sites" and "social media" will be used interchangeably.


Keywords

Risk Issues, Social Media and Employment, Personnel Recruitment and Retention, E-Privacy Issues
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • B. Feltham, C. N. "The Importance of a Clear Social Media Policy for Employers" 2012, March 6. Retrieved from PWC.Com: http://pwc.com.au/legal/assets/legaltalk/ LegalTalk-Alert-06Mar12.pdf

  • Belicove, M., " NLRB Slams Costco On Social Media Use Policy: What It Means For Your Business". Forbes, 2012, September 28

  • Boyd, D. M., & Ellison, N. B., "Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship". Journal of Computer-Mediated communication, 2007.

  • C. Kearns, E. C., " Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP", 2012, October 10. Retrieved from Pillsbury Law: www.pillsburylaw.com

  • Case, K. Y. , "Internet Abuse in the Workplace: New Trends in Risk Management", CyberPsychology and Behavior, 7(1), 105-111, 2004.

  • Eastman, M., " A Survey of Social Media Issues Before the NLRB". Washington: US Chamber of Commerce, 2011.

  • Facebook Newsroom. (2012, November 28). Retrieved from Facebook: http://newsroom.fb.com/Key-Facts

  • Green, A. "Using Social Networking to Discuss Work: NLRB Protection for Derogatory Employee Speech and Concerted Activity",Berkeley Technology Law Journal, 837-890, 2012

  • Haythornthwaite, C. "Social Networks and Internet Connectivity Effects". Information, Communication, & Society, 8(2), 2005.

  • Jackson, M. "Employee Fairly Dismissed for Vulgar Facebook Comments, 2012, April 26. Retrieved from Thompsons Solitors: http://thompsons-solicitors.org/2012/04/26/employee-fairlydismissed- for-vulgar-facebook-comments/#more-288

  • Newell, B. "Rethinking Reasonable Expectations of Privacy In Online Social Networks", Richmond Journal of Law and Technology, 1-61, 2011.

  • P. Abril, A. L. "Blurred Boundaries: Social Media Privacy and the Twenty-First-Century Employee", American Business Law Journal, 63-123, 2012

  • R. Waring, F. B. , "Social Networking Web Sites: The Legal and Ethical Aspects of Pre-Employment Screening and Employee Surveillance", Journal of Human Resources Education, 4(2), 14- 23, 2010.

  • Teitel, J. , "Fired Over Facebook: The Consequences of Discussing Work Online", Western Journal of Legal Studies, 1-22, 2012.

  • Twitter, (2012, November 28). Retrieved from Twitter: https://business.twitter.com/en/basics/what-is-twitter/


Abstract Views: 220

PDF Views: 0




  • Human Resources in the New Cyber-Landscape: The Implications of Social Networking on Employee Discipline and Termination

Abstract Views: 220  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Jodie L. Ferise
School of Business, University of Indianapolis, United States
Kathy Bohley
School of Business, University of Indianapolis, United States
Douglas Bright
The New Radar LLC, Indiana, United States

Abstract


The age of social media has blanketed the globe with staggering speed and potency. Businesses have recognized the possibilities of such sites and have begun leveraging the power of the trend for an increased bottom-line, but with the dawning of this new era of "connectedness" comes a host of potential pitfalls for human resource managers that did not previously exist. Posts, tweets and uploads in social media outlets present a variety of possible complications that could lead to employee discipline or termination. Caution must be used when making such personnel decisions as these carry significant implications upon employee privacy, labor relations, and other personal rights issues.

This paper analyzes the most popular social media sites around the world, as well as explore the effects of these sites on human resource management. The paper provides especially an analysis of legal cases from around the globe dealing with personnel issues stemming from the use of such sites. Finally, the paper provides recommended strategies for preventing such issues and for administering appropriate disciplinary measures when a problem does arise. For purposes of this paper, the terms "social networks", "social networking sites" and "social media" will be used interchangeably.


Keywords


Risk Issues, Social Media and Employment, Personnel Recruitment and Retention, E-Privacy Issues

References