Workplace rants on social media are headache for companies
Workplace relations and company images are becoming increasingly internet media issues as complicated situations involving Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc., are becoming more and more common at work. Only about 10% of companies currently have specific policies in place for social media related incidents (e.g. online feuds, company-bashing, etc.) but about 25% of employers surveyed in 2009 by the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics said they had disciplined employees over social media activities. It is legal for employers to fire employees over inappropriate activities on the web - a prank Domino's Pizza YouTube video has become the classic example. Researchers also point out that most information, once released on Facebook or Twitter, tends to spiral out of control, instantly reaching many, many more people than intended. Public Relations firm Edelmen encourages companies to find people who are positive about the company online and use it to their advantage.
See "Workplace rants on social media are headache for companies", Stephanie Chen, CNN, May 16, 2010