This whole concept of "Social Media Rights" really gives me heartburn when
the discussion revolves around the use of social media in a work
environment.  And this is coming from a well-known liberal thinking
individual...

I think the summation in the article pretty much hits it on the head:

"As use of social media and social networking sites continues to rise,
employers must develop policies and practices that protect their right and
obligation to monitor and access employee internet use, while also balancing
the rights of employees. Internet and social networking polices should be
narrowly tailored to protect an employer's interests without infringing on
an employee's protected rights."

When you're at work, you're there to be involved in what your employer is
paying you to do- they may grant you a degree of freedom to pursue
professional involvement outside of the direct sphere of your
responsibilities, but there are no 'rights granted' to abuse those privileges. 

Almost all organizations have Computer Use Policies, and in addition, many
employees have to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements and other binding documents
related to discussing work issues outside of work. Those that don't are in
the process of developing them because of articles like this and concerns
related to current or anticipated abuses on behalf of their employees.  Even
so, I think it goes without saying that employees are 'discouraged from
disparaging their employers' publicly, ESPECIALLY in writing, whether that
takes a physical or digital form.

Outside of work, everyone has the right to freedom of speech and they should
be allowed to exercise that to any degree they feel comfortable, but when it
comes to their employers... this is only true as long as its within the
guidelines of any agreements you have entered into (and the law).  

If you feel the need to publicly grouse, be that on a blog, a Listserv, on
LinkedIn or Facebook or wherever, find a "tasteful" way to do it- 

"A friend of mine has this problem at work..."

"The XYZ Company employs a bunch of idiots that..."

"Someone said they know a person who has to (blah blah blah) where they work..."

There's no need to name an employer or a specific employee, If you want to
do it under YOUR NAME, just vent anonymously.  Or take a pseudonym and then
let it fly... but these avenues don't ensure you that it won't STILL be
traced back to you.

The point is, there is a major difference between "rights" and "privileges"
and many times when people feel they have a "right" to do something because
they WANT TO... they right turns into a "wrong".  Doesn't have to relate to
an employer or client, it can relate to another person just as easily.

I'm JUST sayin'...

Larry
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