The pros and cons of using social media sites in the workplaces

In recent years, many things around us are changing enormously because of the advanced development and increased adoption of digital technologies. Not surprisingly, the world of work is also becoming much more different than that in the previous decades.

Some big companies like Deloitte or IBM, they have their own internal social networking sites to help their workers to communicate and share information with each other. 

I bet you all will not believe that when I worked as a clerk in a logistic company in the summer of 2007, at that time, we just transmitted our messages verbally without using any digital communication devices at work. Whenever there was an announcement made by the company, the manager would inform us face to face but not send emails via intranet or other technological means. It sounds pretty primitive, doesn’t it? But it is really true that we didn’t use digital technologies to help us to communicate or share information, let alone internal social media sites.

If a company wants the employees to work efficiently, they have to help them to establish a good relationship with their colleagues especially if the companies emphasize teamwork a lot. This is one of the reasons why many companies use social media sites to help their employees. Those sites allow people to choose or say whatever they like anytime as well as share things and knowledge with whomever they want. They can even create their own communities such as “Lovers of Lady Gaga” there. Sharing the common preferences or habits, which is not necessarily related to work, not only does it foster employees’ communication but it also helps them to build a close relationship with others including those who are not connected with them closely and frequently, which is beneficial for their future career or employment.

Besides, this informal social communication tool enables people to complete their tasks more easily and efficiently. What I mean is, people can gather and systematize their information and knowledge from the internal and external sources via interactive communications. Comparing with emails or other groupware, this means is more efficient and convenient.

However, every coin has two sides. There are also some disadvantages of using social media sites. Since social media provide a harmonious and friendly environment for the employees to work and share knowledge. Unfortunately, people may be distracted from their work by other colleagues or some “cheerful” things sometimes. I mean, they may focus on the personal chats and interests rather than work without any notice. 

What is more, since the employees’ profiles will be viewed by their co-workers, managers and boss, they need to behave very properly or they will give a bad impression to others. For example, they have to watch their behaviors and words carefully. They are not advised to upload some pictures that they were drinking like a fish or kissing everybody indecently. They are confined to some relaxing but decent communications so actually there is an invisible restriction on presenting themselves in front of others.

According to Arthur Clyne, a Montreal-based web and technology consultant, "Some employers are also beginning to include searches of social media websites in the employee performance evaluations process. They may also conduct routine searches for references to their company or key management personnel. Companies also often monitor employee computer activity while at work, definitely including use of social network sites, which are widely viewed as productivity-killers." (Quoted from an article on George's employment blawg) It is very clear that the employees should be careful about the use of soical networking website otherwise they might be caught and negatively evaluated by their employers!

All in all, using social media sites in workplace has both pros and cons. We should always be aware of the disadvantages. Yet, I think the advantages of using them still outweigh its disadvantages if we use them wisely.