Should Facebook Be Banned from Work?

By Clint Boulton

If organizations let their employees spend time on Facebook, argued Drakos, they may reveal confidential information, perhaps even revealing tips that would help rivals gain competitive advantage.

Valdes countered that while proprietary info may make its way onto the Web via Facebook, it is no more damaging than information revealed over the phone or via e-mail. “Facebook does not reveal secrets; people reveal secrets,” Valdes said, arguing that the medium of communication should not be punished for the actions of some people.

Facebook is a huge drain on employee productivity because its usage is so addictive, and users are not always using it to exchange business information, Drakos said. This constant stream of info is a misuse of company resources, he added.

Valdes said people are exploring Facebook similar to the way in which people began poking around the Web when they first got Internet access at work. Besides, people don’t need a computer to waste time at work, he added, and Facebook is valuable because it can help put users in touch with key decision makers.

Drakos said Facebook should be banned because employees can publish content that is defamatory or that even breaches third-party copyright agreements.

The four words that make employees behave when they attend conferences in Las Vegas would also govern Facebook use, Valdes countered: employee code of conduct. Companies must set clear policies as to how employees must behave, recognizing that Facebook is part of the evolving online social norm.

Drakos said that Facebook must be banned because it increases corporate liability. For example, the selective disclosure of material information can lead to violation of securities laws, and the use of profile information in lawsuits can lead to discrimination lawsuits.

Valdes agreed with Drakos’ take on liability, but added that companies are still learning the language of social media and will eventually set best practices for managing online identity, what gets revealed, and so on.

Drakos: Facebook is a source of brand damage because employees may deliver inconsistent messages to the outside world, blurring the company’s position. This in turn affects how the company is perceived.

This is true of all social media, Valdes claimed. Blogs, wikis, online forums and Twitter can all be used to strengthen an individual’s brand at the expense of company. Again, this is a key challenge for corporations, but not enough of a reason to scuttle Facebook at work.

In a poll of roughly 100 people who attended the debate, 81 percent said Facebook should not be banned. Valdes, and Facebook, win!