Tweets, Likes- Employee relations.

The “social media “– love of Gen Y. Rapidly social networking sites such as  Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are getting pervasive with the Gen X too.

The advent of the technology has changed the face of employee relations in today’s work place with the new social media policies coming into the picture. Along the way are the fresh questions arising “Does social media kill productivity in the employees?” or “Does it boost the amicability among the employees?”, “Is it a threat to the companies repute?” or “Is it a new way to stay connected with the customers?”

These questions are just the starters. The challenge lies ahead with companies having to decide about the level up to which they can moderate their employee’s social media activity without barging into their private lives.

One classic example is the recent social media policy of Times of India stating the employees to disclosethe log in credentials of their personal social media accounts to the companyraised concerns regarding breach of privacy of the employees.

From the business standpoint companies can reap benefits from such platforms as the presence on social media improves the reach to potential customers and employers. Itprovides faster contact with their subordinates while eliminating unnecessary emails. Through social media employees could find relevant information for solving work related issues as well as enrich their knowledge through various blogs, video portals, groups on fb,linkedIn etc. On the other hand major issues like decrease in employee productivity, distraction at work place, corporate espionage, Cyber smearing, Cyber-attacks and bad publicity pose a threat to the companies.

According to a survey in 2012 by Assocham 35% of Indian companies engage in corporate espionage via social media to gain competitive advantage.Despite the roadblocks social media has become an eminent part of our lives.Hence, there is a need for the employers to closely monitor the social media activity while keeping the best interests of employees as well as the organization in mind.

Article by M.Aishwarya