A conversation yesterday with someone whose employer blocks access to Facebook and other sites on the social web highlights a real conundrum with such bans, as Scott Adams perceptively illustrates in yesterday’s Dilbert comic strip.
Many employers cite time-wasting as a prime reason for such bans. Some worry about security risks and the threat of bringing in viruses into the corporate environment. Yet Alice in the Dilbert strip spotlights a flip side to such bans when she thinks about what she’ll do when not in the workplace.
And, broadly, that reflects what I heard yesterday in the conversation I mentioned. Not the exact words, but the clear meaning.
I wonder how may others think and act in similar fashion when old workplace control practices collide with newer behaviours and expectations of how you spend your time at work when “at work” has such an evolved meaning today.
Are bans worthwhile? I don’t believe they are at all, other than in workplaces where there is a very clear and obvious reason (hospitals, for example, and even then, an outright ban may not be the best way to address the issue).
For some years, my friend and podcasting colleague Shel Holtz has been at the vanguard of highlighting the issue, arguing a strong case for pros outweighing cons when it comes to enabling employee use of social media in the workplace – take a look at StopBlocking.org (it does wear its heart on its sleeve) and the resources there.
So the Pointy-Haired Boss thinks he has a win. I don’t think so – no one has a win in a situation like that. Everyone loses.
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24 responses to “The social networking workplace conundrum”
The social networking workplace conundrum http://t.co/4DiF9tCFzj
Hobson: The social networking workplace conundrum: A conversation yesterday with someone whose employer blocks… http://t.co/3lFOcLFLZs
@jangles Absolutely agree. A ban creates a negative working atmosphere. Employers can’t stop the blurring of private and professional life
The social networking workplace conundrum: http://t.co/bCWXWidzN1
Agree @jangles – social media does not distract employees. Rather it increases communication http://t.co/0qcHHNPCww
As personal & professional lines increasingly blur, social media bans at work make no sense, says @jangles http://t.co/sv6DUqTurW
RT @annhandley: As personal & professional lines increasingly blur, social media bans at work make no sense, says @jangles http://t.co/sv6D…
RT @annhandley: As personal & professional lines increasingly blur, social media bans at work make no sense, says @jangles http://t.co/sv6D…
RT @annhandley: As personal & professional lines increasingly blur, social media bans at work make no sense, says @jangles http://t.co/sv6D…
The social networking workplace conundrum: Everybody loses when #socialmedia is banned http://t.co/L0Oljw7VV2 via @jangles
RT @PaulBromford: The social networking workplace conundrum: Everybody loses when #socialmedia is banned http://t.co/L0Oljw7VV2 via @jangl…
RT @PaulBromford: The social networking workplace conundrum: Everybody loses when #socialmedia is banned http://t.co/L0Oljw7VV2 via @jangl…
The social networking workplace conundrum – Neville Hobson http://t.co/0hWbrbHswi
@PaulBromford @jangles
Some folk need to review their AUPs!
(OK, that’s ‘Acceptable Use Policy’)
Everybody loses when #socialmedia is banned in the workplace http://t.co/L0Oljw7VV2 via @jangles
RT @PaulBromford: Everybody loses when #socialmedia is banned in the workplace http://t.co/L0Oljw7VV2 via @jangles
RT @PaulBromford: Everybody loses when #socialmedia is banned in the workplace http://t.co/L0Oljw7VV2 via @jangles
@PaulBromford @jangles @eastdevon Food for thought! Can we effect change?
RT @PaulBromford: Everybody loses when #socialmedia is banned in the workplace http://t.co/nqD8hi54Ei via @jangles
RT @PaulBromford: Everybody loses when #socialmedia is banned in the workplace http://t.co/L0Oljw7VV2 via @jangles
RT @PaulBromford: Everybody loses when #socialmedia is banned in the workplace http://t.co/L0Oljw7VV2 via @jangles
I agree in this case people losses instead of winning. By blocking the access to social media is not a way to stop them but actually loosing them.
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