Does Your Company Have a Social Media Policy?

Rhonda Lee, an African-American meteorologist at KTBS, a news station in Shreveport, Louisiana, was fired for a comment she wrote on Facebook. A viewer commented on her hair, and Lee responded. However, according to KTBS, responding to the viewer was a violation of their social media policy. Had Lee reviewed, understood and adhered to the policy, would she still have a job?

That question is difficult to answer since there is more to the story. There were also undertones of racism involved.

Does your company have a social media policy?

In our social media climate, all companies must protect themselves and its employees with policies that govern the use of its social media.

Caron Beesley, Community Moderator on SBA.gov recently published a blog entitled, “How to Craft a Social Media Policy for Your Small Business.” A social media policy is one that governs how your employees and business uses social media to engage and interact with people who subscribe or follow your company. It is also a code of conduct to help you and your employees gauge how you will use social media and what should and should not be shared.

Here are a few of the topics Ms. Beesley discusses in her blog:

Start With Your Employees
If You’re Not Sharing Your Own Content – Be Warned
Endorsements Must Be Disclosed
What Should Your Social Media Policy Look Like?

To learn more about how to incorporate a social media policy for your company, please click the link below.