Staff and social media policies

[jersey lou79]

We have had our quad stolen very recently and I've found out one of our staff members had sent a group Snapchat telling people it had been stolen before we even had chance to check the rest of the farm to see if anything else had gone missing and before we'd even contacted the police .

Firstly it's annoyed me because it's our business, I don't want any Tom, dick or harry knowing what's going on, when word gets out people will gossip anyhow and secondly it got me thinking about what's appropriate for staff to share. If they are sending pictures of equipment and have locations on you never know who sees it.

Has anyone tackled thus issues? Do they tell staff what's appropriate or not.

 

[Mc115reed]

It’s part an parcel of modern life now everybody loves it when they get the gossip or see funny f**k up pictures on social media’s but hate it when it’s the other way round.... could always sack them but then again every man and there dog are looking for staff these days so is it really worth it over a cheeky Snapchat ?

 

[Purli R]

Put it on snap app whatever, your thinking of sacking him for being on snap app see how he/she likes it

 

[7610 super q]

Maybe they were being helpful ? Sharing pics soon after the robbery could be the key to getting items back ?
Ban them from posting on TFF though, cos folks that post on TFF are numpties....

 

[Barleycorn]

No different to what he would have done in the pub over a lunchtime pint 20 years ago, gossip has always been prolific.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

It is your business - I'd have a wee word, team meeting, and just emphasise what is your business and what is fit for world consumption?
Probably, well intended gossiping; the other side of the coin is that some local lowlifes had been half-inching gear, and snapchat actually saved the day - one of the local truckies saw the quad in a horsefloat and the police had them in 30 minutes.

It's 50:50.

However a social media policy is probably something worth having - just like a lock on a door, it's better than no lock

 

[jersey lou79]

Maybe they were being helpful ? Sharing pics soon after the robbery could be the key to getting items back ?
Ban them from posting on TFF though, cos folks that post on TFF are numpties....

It was just a snap saying we'd be robbed. Nothing about keeping an eye open for quad etc

 

[jersey lou79]

It’s part an parcel of modern life now everybody loves it when they get the gossip or see funny fudge up pictures on social media’s but hate it when it’s the other way round.... could always sack them but then again every man and there dog are looking for staff these days so is it really worth it over a cheeky Snapchat ?

Definatly wouldn't sack them over it, just what them to be a bit more aware that it's our details / life / issues they are sharing also

 

[Red Fred]

One of my pet hates is the Hedgerow Tractor type of picture where someone takes a picture of an old machine they have seen on someone else's farm, then posts it up for all to see with comments such as "must be a dairy farmer", 'poor thing, they shouldn't be allowed near a tractor' etc etc. Invariably some lad then asks "Is that the one at Little Snoring?" so the location is revealed too. Just mind your own business!

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

However a social media policy is probably something worth having

It should be written down in black & white as part of the contract of employment.

 

[deleted user 837354]

Put it on snap app whatever, your thinking of sacking him for being on snap app see how he/she likes it

Do not do this.

 

[deleted user 837354]

It should be written down in black & white as part of the contract of employment.

Agree. Plenty of workplaces have a social media policy now detailing what is acceptable and what is not.

 

[Gulli]

Yes you should have a social media policy make it part of their contract if you care that much.

Every chance they were telling other locals in order to warn them that people are nicking stuff

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

Imagine if your business involved technical production techniques or highly specific ingredients and one of your employees was sharing this information on social media.

Alternatively, consider an employee who shares where the quad bike is kept BEFORE it gets stolen...

Either way, you would want to follow proper procedures, which is only possible where procedures are in place.

 

[JP1]

I can see OP's POV. Initially a word to all the staff outlining your views on social media - positive and negative and how (if anything) you'd want to see your business profiled

I can see a whole World of hypocrisy coming about posting on social media .....

 

[7610 super q]

One of my pet hates is the Hedgerow Tractor type of picture where someone takes a picture of an old machine they have seen on someone else's farm, then posts it up for all to see with comments such as "must be a dairy farmer", 'poor thing, they shouldn't be allowed near a tractor' etc etc. Invariably some lad then asks "Is that the one at Little Snoring?" so the location is revealed too. Just mind your own business!

Is it for sale ?

 

[Highland Mule]

We have had our quad stolen very recently and I've found out one of our staff members had sent a group Snapchat telling people it had been stolen before we even had chance to check the rest of the farm to see if anything else had gone missing and before we'd even contacted the police .

Firstly it's annoyed me because it's our business, I don't want any Tom, dick or harry knowing what's going on, when word gets out people will gossip anyhow and secondly it got me thinking about what's appropriate for staff to share. If they are sending pictures of equipment and have locations on you never know who sees it.

Has anyone tackled thus issues? Do they tell staff what's appropriate or not.

Can you see the irony of you asking this question on social media, and in telling us all yourself?

 

[Brisel]

Most older contracts of employment don't have clauses for social media but may well include bits about confidential information. Mine has nothing about social media but is quite specific about breaches of confidentiality hence why I don't post too much detail. On the flip side, I've learned hundreds of tips from others in TFF that have improved my business considerably. I've also had equipment stolen that has appeared on Twitter with our basic name tagged. The photos were taken by a local off duty police officer with a penchant for farm machinery. Somewhat ironic.

I suggest thinking about this clearly, talking amongst yourselves then having an open discussion with your staff about is or isn't acceptable to post on social media. Follow this up with a letter to all your staff if you'd like to enshrine this into policy. Get them to sign a copy if you really want to leave no ambiguity.

My firm is writing a staff handbook that has paragraphs on social media. I'm not sure how that stands in law should this get messy between us. Time to read it methinks...!

 

[Hilly]

Coppers here tell people to put stuff on Socail media , they reckon the theirs hate Socail media with a passion.

 

[Brisel]

Coppers here tell people to put stuff on Socail media , they reckon the theirs hate Socail media with a passion.

Some of the well known hare coursing gangs use Facebook to brag about where they've been. Carefully of course - plenty of crims in jail because they posted the convicting evidence online!

New quad bike? Take a selfie of yourself with it & post it on your FB page where you're also running a farm shop/wedding barn etc with your address on. Most thieves are inherently lazy, or they would be out doing an honest day's work instead. Instead they have plenty of time to trawl the internet looking for pics on local farms to turn over