Acas has launched a guide to help Britain get to grips with a cyber problem caused by the internet, blogs and social media websites, estimated to cost the country billions of pounds every year.
The guide, Workplaces and Social Networking: The Implications for Employment Relations, is designed to help businesses, staff and trade unions agree how to handle the use of the internet, blogs and social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter inside and outside of work. 55% of staff now use social media at work, but employers claim many staff are also abusing it by posting derogatory comments about managers and colleagues, or buying and selling online. Acas’ main recommendation is that an employer should consult with staff and trade unions to spell out the dos and don’ts of using the internet and social media, and make clear the consequences of breaching its policy, which should become part of contracts of employment.
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