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Is it okay for self-identified employees to tweet about politics?
Tonight President Obama will deliver the State of the Union and I suspect my Tweet Deck will be bursting with commentary. Which begs the question: Is it okay for employees who have identified as working for a particular brand or business to tweet about politics? I put my employer (Eloqua) in my bio in an effort to be transparent when tweeting about my industry and encourage others to do the same. Should people who name their employer avoid tweeting about politics altogether?
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3 Answers
Cultural norms are still being established around user-generated content, social media and corporate employees. However, it seems as though the most forward-thinking (think Zappo's) companies provide broad latitude to their employees regarding the topics they may cover in their blogs, tweets and other commentary.
You may want to touch base with your employer on their general policy (if they have one, which is still relatively unlikely) and in any case probably want a disclaimer reminding your audience that your views are your own and not representative of your employer (maybe in your bio)
It is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate the line between personal and professional, but in these unchartered waters, I think common sense and courtesy are the best guides--and I applaud you for your general effort to be transparent in your communications!
I would have thought that problems would arise mostly where a company or organisation has a public view on some political point or issue and the employee is tweeting a clearly contrary view. In those circumstances there may be an argument that the employee is bringing the organisation into disrepute I suppose.
Generally though, I would have thought the personal disclaimer handles the issue quite neatly and a policy statement would not go amiss either!
I agree with Robbie. Social Media is breaking new ground everyday and "policy" may have a tough time keeping pace with it, I would suggest not only you check with your employer, but you refrain from using company equipment like a blackberry, computer, etc.
The courtesy thing is huge as well. Some of the rhetoric flying around is pretty heated and nasty not okay in my book in a work settingand frankly I don't care to be around people who attempt to impose their viewpoint in any setting.
I also advise be sensitive to the relationship. A "boss" who takes a very vehement position on an issue verbally or electronically can create a perceived atmosphere of intolerance.
As a matter of personal preference I try to stay out of politics in the work setting unless it is communicating the company position.
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