Most HR Departments Don’t Block Social Media, Despite Security Concerns

Holos Research’s recent survey of HR executives has discovered that while most are worried over the potential for social media to jeopardize security and productivity, it has not been enough to spur a large movement to block social media networks on workplace computers. In fact, the most common reaction from personnel managers has been to ignore the use of social sites and the use of personal mobile devices. Currently, 38 percent of companies block social networking sites, most commonly for reasons of security and brand name protection. Employee productivity was the third most cited reason for blocking social media.

However, 62 percent of HR execs said they allow social media use at work. Most of this group (65 percent) cited an inability to satisfactorily monitor social media use, and 86 percent have yet to impose time limits on usage. Even in companies explicitly forbidding social media use, there are a number of methods employees have employed to circumvent the policies. Nearly nine out of ten HR pros said use of personal, Internet-connected mobile devices was allowed at work.

“Social media will not be going away,” the study says. “Companies need to be proactive in terms of setting clear guidelines for use of social media, and be clear in communicating the policies to their employees. Just as important, companies cannot be lulled into a false sense of security that simply blocking access to social media websites at work is the answer.”