online social networking and work

Millions in the UK are already registered with Facebook, or similar social networking tools such as MySpace, Bebo and Friendster, to conduct part of their private lives online, and it's growing at a huge rate.

This throws up some interesting, and potentially hazardous, issues for the world of work. Our work is such a big part of our lives that it is only natural we will discuss it to some degree in our private lives, and as personal conversations go online, more is being written down, stored and searchable.

Every workplace in the UK is going to have to work through these issues. We’ve put together some simple guidance on how they might affect you.

• Can my boss stop us using Facebook at work?  more...
• Can my boss discipline me for using social networking sites during work time?  more...
• Can my boss tell me to close my personal Facebook account?  more...
• Can my employer monitor what I’m writing on Facebook whilst I’m at work?  more...
• Can an employer refuse to appoint me to a job because of my Facebook profile?  more...
• How should my employer approach issues of personal conduct on online social networks?  more...
• Should I accept a Facebook friend request from my boss?  more...

further information

The TUC have published some guidance for employers on the issues around social networking at work, "Facing up to Facebook" which you can download in pdf format.