How Should We Handle Employees Damaging Our Company's Image on Social Media?

Addressing Employee Misconduct on Social Media

In my company, I have found some of our employees damaging the company's image on Facebook. We have proof of this behavior. They are even demotivating, demoralizing, or politicizing other employees by suggesting that the company is not doing anything for them or not considering their well-being.

In this case, what should be the first course of action? Should we issue a warning letter for misconduct or for damaging the company's image, opt for a casual face-to-face warning, or escalate to termination?

Also, could you please assist me with drafting a warning letter?

Regards,
Vikash Sharma

Dear Mr. Vikash Sharma,

Addressing Misuse of Social Media by Employees

This is all about how individuals are making the worst use of social media. I don't know about your role in your organization. If you are an "AUTHORITY," then you need to deal with it wisely because the proof you have may not be authentic enough to prove your employees guilty, especially if someone else is playing a game just to ruin your company's image by using your employees' names.

Investigating Employee Behavior

Also, you need to get to the root cause of such behavior adopted and practiced by your employees if, in fact, it is done by your employees only. Please do talk to them and get their responses in writing.

Management's Right to Take Action

Your management has the right to take severe action if your employees are found guilty. In genuine cases, managements have terminated such employees for their inappropriate acts under the defamation policy because it takes a lot to establish a "BRAND."

With profound regards,

This is a very critical phase for any company because these reviews tend to deter people who genuinely want to join the company. To the best of my knowledge, you can follow the below guidelines:

First is a Warning:

- Conduct face-to-face discussions with the employees, providing evidence as necessary. Inquire about the reasons behind their actions that tarnish the company's image. Also, address any dissatisfaction they may have working for the company and suggest that they consider leaving.
- Send an email to the entire management hierarchy (including Senior Managers, Managers, Team Leads, etc.) detailing the employees' wrongdoings, their acknowledgment of the offense, and the outcomes of the discussions.
- Hold a team meeting to announce that such behavior will not be tolerated. Make it clear that individuals engaging in such actions will not be retained as this goes against company policies and ethics.

Second is Termination:

- If despite the above actions, the employees do not change their behavior, request them to leave the company. Have them sign a document confirming that upon leaving the company, they will cease such actions. This document will serve as evidence against them if they continue these actions.

Thanks.

Do you have any policy on IT, social networking, and public communication when it comes to employees talking about the company in an open and public forum? If not, please put that in place. Once that is done, please issue a verbal warning to the employee who is engaging in such behavior. Explain things to him from both a legal and corporate point of view.

You may check my earlier posts for the IT policy.

Regards,
Octavious