It’s social media week all over DC and other major cities this week which basically means a ton of FREE great conferences and workshops. I’d encourage you to check them out here: http://socialmediaweek.org/washingtondc/
With all that said I attended the Ethics in Social Media workshop this afternoon and there were some eye popping numbers. First off 11% of employees are what are considered Active Social Media Users. That classification basically encompasses everyone that is on a social network for 30% or more of their work day. Coming form a social company that number seemed low to be but that’s beside the point.
Where the numbers really start to get interesting is when it comes to whistle-blowing. The Active Social Media User is 3 times more likely to call out wrong doings in the work place and that’s anything from too long of a lunch break all the way to stealing money from the company or sexual harassment. While some of the whistle-blowing might be buzz kill I would venture to say that having a culture where these things are called out an aired is something that management and especially HR would like. Is this sense Active Social Media User are pushing the workplace to a better more transparent place.
Also Active Social Media Users are 42% more likely to say nice things about co-workers and actively push their companies brand online.
The numbers continue to get more interesting: Active Social Media User are 3 times more likely to experience retaliation from other co-workers and the company itself. This extends from being passed over for promotions, pay reductions, or even firing. Obviously the more you blow the whistle the more you open yourself up to retaliations but is that really fair. No it’s not but until we institutionalize whistle- blowing that’s just the way it is.
So what’s the verdict? Are social media user just a bunch of complainers? Or are they people being unfairly persecuted for pushing the ballot forward?
What’s the line between doing what’s right and doing what’s best for your career?
All information used in this blog is attributed to the report by the ERC: ethics.org/nbes