14 things that must be in your social media policy

But I am a communications professional who spends a lot of time online and I can tell you, without a shadow of a doubt, you need a social media policy.

I spend a significant amount of time on the road, speaking to business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders, and what I’ve discovered is a very small minority have policies.

You have an employee handbook. Your employees know how to answer the phone, what to put in their email signature, even what to wear to trade shows. But you haven’t told them how to behave online.

The legal ramifications

Peter Fischer, an attorney at Stokes Roberts & Wagner, says it’s best to have a policy with a signature line on it where employees put their John Hancock.

In accordance with National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) laws, he recommends the following:

1. Employers cannot restrict anyone from commenting on his or her work life.
2. Employers can make sure employees sign confidentiality provisions.
3. Employees can’t lie.