Facebook and Workplace

How Facebook can be used beneficial within Workplace?

• Connect with your co-workers through Facebook. There exists a myth that it is a very bad idea to friend your co-workers on Facebook. This may be true or false to some extent. By being aware of some norms, Facebook can potentially be used in the workplace with a bunch of positive use.

1. To start with, understand the security settings of your Facebook profile. This is the Facebook page with key info about the Privacy settings of your profile http://www.facebook.com/help/privacy and its mandatory to be familiar with all those access settings completely.
2. "Who can see What" - We should always keep in mind that, We, the central players of the Facebook portal are the one who decide what information to share and with whom. It is absolutely under our control. We can create customized groups of friends list (a separate list for colleagues) and have the autonomy to share something to specific people or hide something from specific group.
3. We have to be alert and concerned about the fact that "Many Employers are currently watching their employees through Facebook". This should be ethically and legally questionable action of employers, but it is far beyond the topic to talk over in this particular post.
4. Be conscious about every single piece of info (particularly about your office politics/colleagues/clients) you share with your co-workers on Facebook. "You own your own words and their impacts".

• Company specific events like Tournaments for employees, weekend trip, pizza party etc can be hosted to maintain cooperative relations among coworkers with the help of Facebook. Create a Facebook event providing details about the event and invite your co-workers. The event can be in person or online.
• Fundraising social cause campaigns like Go Green, Book Sale, Craft show etc can be run within the workplace which is beneficial in constructing the workplace community. Facebook facilitates this process.
• You can build a powerful professional network. Facebook aids you to establish your professional identity and to collaborate with networks specific to your field of work. This can be achieved by maintaining your profile updated, complete and appropriate.
• Create Facebook Groups having members from the workplace with similar interests and passion like Writing, Walking, Yoga, Hiking etc. When you find people with similar interests within the workplace, it becomes easy to explore the passion to next level, accompanied by your workplace friends.
• Instant messaging through Facebook becomes a effective tool within the organization as it paves way to increased interaction and communication and instantaneous information sharing among the employees.
• Collaborate and learn through Facebook. Employees can learn together within networks of knowledgeable people by sharing their interests, sharing helpful videos, engaging with peers, having meaningful conversations which leads to quick learning and success.

Hence within the workplace, the employees can acquire extensive benefits from Facebook by handling it with appropriate responsibility. 

We welcome you to discuss in depth on this topic by conversing in the comment section.