A social media and employment research report produced by William Fry has looked at the evolving trends around social media usage within the workplace. The annual report, the fourth in the series, reveals that more than 3 out of 4 employees (78%) are accessing social media using personal devices while at work (up from 60% in 2013). The report also states that men will spend more time on social media (39 minutes) than women (25 minutes) during the working day.
Catherine O’Flynn, a Partner in William Fry’s Employment & Benefits Department, advised employers who have not already done so, to put a social media policy in place saying, “our research finding that more and more employees are using personal devices to access social media at work is of note. Businesses risk serious reputational and/or financial consequences from employees’ inappropriate activity on social media channels. Accordingly, it is vital that organisations address use on personal devices as well as company devices when preparing their social media polices.“
Employers should also be aware that case law has emerged in Ireland over the last 12 months, which highlights the continuing need for employers to have a policy in place in order to have a defence to claims of vicarious liability brought by employees against the organisation in relation to the conduct of their colleagues.
Click here to download the full report.
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Contributed by Catherine O’Flynn
