Facebook has over 1 billion monthly active users, representing a 21% year-over-year increase. When a billion people are using something, does it make sense for businesses to forbid its use at work?
Think about it. If a billion people are using Facebook, what percentage of your company’s employees are on Facebook? 50%? 75%? 90%? Is it possible that the number is 100%? From a practical standpoint, how does a company successfully manage keeping it out of the workplace? Yes, it’s easy to draft a “no Facebook” policy. And your IT department can make sure employees can’t access it on company computers. But how do you really keep it out?
As a consultant, I can’t tell you how many organizations I visit where Facebook is behind the firewall and employees just use their cell phones to access the site. Managers are fine with it. In fact, I’ve heard managers ask employees “Do you mind using your cell phone to check this out on Facebook?”
You might say, at least we have the policy. You’re right – the policy exists. But if it’s not being enforced, the company opens itself up to criticism (and potential liability) if it ever tries to enforce it. It’s difficult to discipline one employee for using Facebook if you don’t discipline them all.
Now I do understand, Facebook is different. The kinds of information being exchanged on Facebook are a little different than other social networks. When we think business, Facebook isn’t the first social network that comes to mind.
Businessweek describes Facebook as “a social networking company that builds various tools that enable users to connect, share, discover and communicate with each other on mobile devices or computers.” By comparison, the LinkedIn Corporation “operates an online professional network that allows members to create, manage, and share their professional identity online.” Twitter includes their “enterprise-level integration solution for email marketing” in the company description.
So even Facebook’s company description doesn’t include business. A valid point.
But I believe Facebook’s broad definition is exactly why organizations should allow employees to use it during work hours. Here are a few examples of how Facebook can benefit your workplace.
Employees are able to connect with organizations – including yours! Sales professionals are able to connect with companies in the industry. Employees can share special promotions of your product/service with family and friends. Human resources can list job openings.
Employees can quickly touch base with family members. Children can touch base with their parents. Older adults can let an employee know they’re fine. Allowing employees to quickly check-in and get back to work, keeps productivity high and minimizes distractions.
Groups can be created to share information and solve problems. Companies can have groups for departments (the training department group), programs (management development program participants), or topics (Spring picnic committee).
When a large majority of the workforce is already using something, it takes less effort to get everyone to start using it. Even if the company has software programs in place, it becomes a sales job to get employees to set up an account, become familiar with the software and then start using it on a regular basis. Social networks like Facebook have accomplished several of those steps for you.
As you can tell, I’m an advocate of using Facebook at work. But I do want to convey one caveat. Allowing employees the ability to use Facebook doesn’t mean they are absolved of their responsibility to get their job done. Employees should be treated as responsible adults. If they need to take a mental break after creating a complicated report and want to play five minutes of Candy Crush Saga, I say let it happen.
Employees who spend hours on games will not get their work done. Managers need to hold those employees accountable for not accomplishing their work. That’s not Facebook’s fault.
The eternal debate isn’t really whether or not to allow Facebook at work. It’s whether management is going to hold employees accountable for their work. Using Facebook is simply an excuse.