Attn Human Resource Professionals: Do you have a policy in your manual about Social Networking? Here is my presentation from the Maryland State SHRM Conference. Enjoy!

1. How to Establish Policies for
Social Media
This is necessary even if social media is forbidden at your workplace
Be PRE-Pared instead of having to do a massive RE-Pair
Clear communication of your company’s communication policies are
never a bad idea
Remind your staff that your purpose for being online is to:
1-Increase Sales
2-Retain Customers
3-Establish Yourself as a Leader in Your
Industry
Maryland SHRM 2010 State Conference

2. Policies to Include in Your Manual
Blanket Social Media Policy
or
Very Detailed Media Policy Listing Your Policy on
Each Type of Online Media
• Blogging Disclosure: asking for your employees to disclose any/all blogs that they participate
in outside of work.
• Company Blog/Post Process: process to follow when blogging/posting on behalf of the
company
• Company Facebook Account Policy: rules for posting on the facebook account, and rules for
commenting on the facebook account
• Linked In Policy
• Twitter Policy
• Company Password Policy
Maryland SHRM 2010 State Conference

3. Identify and Avoid Inappropriate
Behavior
Communication is Key
While Some Posts May be Intentionally Negative, the Majority
of Mistakes are just Poor Judgement
Maryland SHRM 2010 State Conference

4. Identify and Avoid Inappropriate
Behavior
Obvious Inappropriate Behaviors are those that are already in your
handbook. Would it be appropriate to criticize the choice of the newly
board member over the PA System?
Obvious--putting up your 30th anniversary photo at a swingers club,
thanking your wife for the best anniversary gift ever.
Obvious--taking a sick day and posting a photo of the fish you caught
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5. Identify and Avoid Inappropriate
Behavior
Less obvious--liking a page, a tweet or a post that is not in alignment
with company values
Less obvious--recommending or reviewing a book on Amazon that
would not align with company values
Less obvious--working for Calvin Klein and purchasing a “knock off”
handbag on ebay, then giving the seller a 5 star rating, which leads
back to your company profile
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6. But What I Do On My Time is MY Business
You’re Absolutely Right.
But When You Post it on Your Blog, You Tube, Tweet It, Text it and
“Like It”, you have chosen to share it with the world
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7. Examples of Social Media Do’s and Don’ts
Do follow company policy
Do refer questions about the company to the appropriate
department
Do remember our reason for an online presence
Do remember that printed words are often hard to retrieve
Do take the time to think before posting
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8. Examples of Social Media Do’s and Don’ts
Don’t react emotionally
Don’t insult anyone personally
Don’t join every group or connect with everyone who invites you
Don’t avoid a negative situation, or hope that it will go away
Don’t forget you are a part of a team!
Maryland SHRM 2010 State Conference

9. Damage Control
What is the worst possible scenario?
Respond Swiftly, Don’t React Hastily
Remove or rectify the situation as soon as possible
Make a statement of your company policy and apologize if necessary
Respond to the press with a prepared statement
Do not allow the media to speculate
Having a Plan WILL ALWAYS MAKE THESE SITUATIONS EASIER
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10. Do You Need to Be Facebook Police
Let’s hope we can all remember our job descriptions, right?
If we all do our jobs, and we have a plan for those times that mistakes
are occasionally made, we should avoid un-necessary police work
and ingest less over the counter medicines!
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11. Keep in Touch?
Connect With Me!
Beth Caldwell
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12. Other Presentations from Beth Caldwell
Are You Googleable?
Social Networking For Business, Should You Be
Linked In?
Adding a Social Networking Plan to your HR Manual
Leadership: Bringing Out the Best In Your Workforce
Creating a Publicity Plan for Your Business
Creating an Email Newsletter for Your Business
You Don’t Need a Networking Group--It’s Time for a
Mastermind
www.IWishIdKnownThat.com
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