Allowing social media at work can be a tricky one for companies, a major reason organizations give for not allowing this is so as to ensure productivity stays up.
But if allowed, employees can still get the work done while accommodating some social media time.
While it is commonplace reasoning that the privilege can easily be abused, there are quite a number of benefits to gain when social media becomes an integral part of the workplace culture.
Here are some reasons why social media engagement by employees should be encouraged.
1. It gives them a mental break
This cannot be over-emphasized, occasional short breaks on social media goes a long way in relaxing the mind. A readily available medium like Facebook where you can engage in light conversations with friends and family outside the work environment is a good ground. According to a PRC survey, employees say giving them a mental break is the number one reason why they engage social media at work.
2. It helps to keep up with professional connections
Your employees have professional relationships they are gradually nurturing. Breaking from their regular workflow to engage on social media and build organic relationships is a good idea, and should be proactively encouraged by the heads of departments.
With this, more leads and eventual sales would come around. LinkedIn is one of those popular social semi-formal tools to engage with.
3. Social media can be resourceful platforms
Sites like Quora, Reddit and Twitter are amazing grounds for asking questions that relate to work and personal life. The personal questions if solved can help the employee’s state of mind at the workplace. It also goes without saying that getting solutions to work-related challenges will help with productivity of the worker.
4. Employee advocacy
With social media, employees have the opportunity to sell the company brand. It can be used to meet needs of prospective customers when monitoring and listening tools are set in place. Tools like Mention, Buffer and Hootsuite can be employed to monitor, listen and respond to potential clients on social media with appropriate solutions. Everyone in the workplace should be encouraged to be employee advocates hence the benefit of using social media at work.
5. It shows you trust them
When employers put the advantage of social media in the hands of her employees, it goes a long way to show the trust the company has for its staffers. They trust them not to abuse or misuse it, and this will be surely appreciated by the employees (at least for those who uphold good work ethics.
CULLED FROM pulse.ng
