Bosses See Risks with Facebook, Twitter

Social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter are becoming increasingly popular among working adults. But do bosses have the right to see how their employees portray themselves on these online applications? According to a recent survey, they certainly think they do.

Detailed in the Business Journal of Milwaukee on Monday, a Deloitte LLP survey found that 60 percent of employers think they should be able to monitor what employees post online. Meanwhile, 53 percent of employees think it’s none of their business, including 63 percent of workers ages 18 to 34. Seventy-four percent, however, recognize social networking sites make it easier to damage companies’ reputations.

“With the explosive growth of online social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter, rapidly blurring the lines between professional and private lives, these virtual communities have increased the potential of reputational risk for many organizations and their brands,” said Sharon Allen, chairman of the board, Deloitte LLP. “It is important for executives to be mindful of the implications of this connected world and to elevate the discussion about the risks associated with it to the highest levels of leadership.”

While sites like Facebook and Twitter can be useful both personally and professionally, the study is a reminder that online social networking is not as private as many people think.