I recently spent some time researching how organizations should handle Facebook in the workplace, and want to share it with everyone. The above picture more or less accurately captures the primary fear of an organization – that people are screwing around, not doing what they are supposed to be doing, and playing on the internet when they should be working. I think that this fear causes organizations to act irrationally and in a manner that doesn’t create strong bonds of trust between org and employee.

I am going to break these FB posts up, and I will probably end up with three or so. This first post basically sets the groundwork for the rest of the research. I am also interested to hear about how different companies handle FB – I think that there is clearly going to be a wide range of usage policies.

The rampant use of Facebook poses a clear challenge to employers everywhere. People are using social networking tools in general, and Facebook in particular, in staggering numbers. This phenomenon really can no longer be treated as a “fad” anymore, particularly in the workplace. There are currently more than 400 million users on Facebook, a figure which is rising rapidly. In addition, the time that people spend on these sites is also increasing, with the current average Facebook user spending 55 minutes a day on the site. (http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?statistics)

Organizations are aware that people are using Facebook at work, and that this poses a challenge – how to allow employees the freedom to communicate with others while not losing productivity. Each organization should have a written Social Media policy that clearly defines “appropriate use” while in the workplace. If the goal of an organization is to have “enthusiastic employees,” the best solution to the challenge Facebook presents is to create a written social media policy that outlines clear expectations, and to teach employees how to use social media in a way that is in line with the organizational goals, rather than the simple solution of blocking employee access to the site.

Facebook presents a complex organizational challenge, but it also provides opportunities for organizations. Organizations have an opportunity to craft a policy that helps employees be part of the solution and gives clear and specific guidance for how social media can be used wisely. Choosing to write a policy can demonstrate that an organization is aware of current trends in the marketplace, and also that the organization both values and respects their employees. Furthermore, recognizing that Facebook has a vital role in many lives, and that this role may actually be beneficial to the organization, can open up opportunities for creating a competitive advantage for the organization.

Does your organization have a written social media policy? What does it say? Can you visit FB at work? Do you visit Facebook while you are at work?