What rules should guide your behavior when you interact with friends and co workers on social media?

Is it weird to add coworkers on Facebook? This is a question many of us don’t know how to answer regarding bosses, colleagues and other professional contacts. But with the average person spending around 145 minutes a day on social networking sites, our virtual lives and professional lives will inevitably overlap sooner or later.

Social media has created a minefield of etiquette-based questions that we’re still learning to navigate in the workplace. Is our trepidation over the ‘accept friend request’ button justified?

While some recruitment agencies and HR experts explicitly warn against colleagues being friends on social media, some encourage it. Here’s a look at both sides of the issue.

It can make you less productive.

Spending too long on social media can lead to distracted employees and a disrupted workday. For this reason, many companies choose to ban social media use on their network.

It can be all too easy to fall down the social media rabbit hole and lose valuable time at work without even realising it. What’s more, if you’re connected to your boss or colleagues, they’ll have a better view of when and how often you are active on social media – including work hours.

If your employer has a more lenient approach to social media use, be careful to keep things in balance. Save social media scrolling for your coffee break, and keep your primary focus on your professional tasks.

It places you under added scrutiny, which could cost you your job.

Nearly half (48%) of employers admit to checking up on current employees on their social media platforms. A third (34%) of employers say they have reprimanded – or even fired – an employee because of the content found on their social media profile.

Your personal social media might feel like the logical place to express your personal thoughts when you feel frustrated and need to vent. However, you run the risk of exposing more to your boss or coworkers than you intended. In recent years, there have been countless cases of employees losing their jobs for bad-mouthing their jobs, companies or coworkers.

It can impact your career progression.

Around 70% of companies use social networking sites to gather information on job candidates during the hiring process. This means social media can affect your working life before you even get onto the career ladder!

When it comes to the content you choose to share (especially without the right privacy settings in place), it’s better to err on the side of caution. Here are some of the most common social media faux pas that caused potential employers to reject a candidate:

40%: Provocative or inappropriate content
36%: Drinking or drug use
31%: Discriminatory comments
30%: Criminal behaviour
27%: Information that shows a candidate lied about their qualifications
27%: Poor communication skills
25%: Bad-mouthing a previous employer or coworker

It can improve camaraderie.
The longer you work at a company, the closer you’ll become to some of your coworkers, bosses and mentors, which means friending them on social media is a natural progression. In addition, creating bonds outside of the workplace helps strengthen relationships within teams, leading to a happier working environment.

It can improve communication.
Getting to know someone via social media can help us tackle workplace small talk more effectively, leading to more meaningful conversations.

If used in the right way, it can boost your reputation.
Giving colleagues and bosses a glimpse into your personal life can help them to form a well-rounded view of you, as they get a chance to see your hobbies, projects and volunteer work outside of the office.

With all these pros and cons in mind, the question remains for many people in today’s workplace: Should you befriend your workmates on social media? Here are some tips to help you make the call.

Four Ways to Decide if You Should Facebook Friend a Coworker

1. What is your work culture like?
Your company’s culture should be a clear indication of how to proceed when trying to decide whether to accept Facebook friend requests or not. For example, is it a casual environment? Is there a strong focus on relationships, and are teams encouraged to socialise? These are all factors that should guide you to your decision.

2. Are you happy with the way you come across online?
Look at the last 20 posts you’ve shared or liked. Ask yourself if you feel comfortable with the way they represent you – would you feel okay with a peer or a boss seeing them? If the answer is yes, you’re probably in a good position to send a friend request or accept one, with little concern.

3. What do you have in common?
While it’s important to treat all your coworkers with professional courtesy, you’re not necessarily required to be friends outside of work. However, it’s not unusual to form genuine friendships at work through shared interests – if you’re friendly with a colleague offline, adding them online will feel more natural and less awkward.

4. Do you share work-related content on Facebook?
If your Facebook feed is a good mix of private posts and content on professional topics, you might consider sending or accepting a workplace friend request. Many people go beyond LinkedIn and use Facebook or Twitter to keep in touch with business contacts and ensure that they post a decent mix of work and life posts.

It’s also important to note that not all social media platforms are the same – and not all are appropriate for workplace connections. So while you might be perfectly happy to connect with your boss and teammates on LinkedIn and Facebook or make some great industry connections on Twitter, you may want to keep those Instagram selfies and TikTok dances private!

TikTok especially has been growing in popularity, and it’s landed more than a few workers in hot water with their employers. There are countless light-hearted clips of workers dancing in uniform, which can certainly help to direct positive attention towards a brand – but all too often, videos that blur the line between personal and professional life can go awry. TikTok users making fun of their company or their customers – especially in cases where branding and logos are on full display – can end up being a PR disaster for the business in question. As always, caution is key… when in doubt, don’t chase clout!

At the end of it all, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to these questions, and though it’s often best to play it safe, don’t discount the positive impact of building better relationships with your coworkers. Just make sure your Facebook privacy settings are maximised, and check them regularly to ensure they’re up to date.

Career development
How To Communicate Better With Coworkers

By Indeed Editorial Team

Updated June 9, 2021 | Published October 7, 2019

Updated June 9, 2021

Published October 7, 2019

Communication is the key to maintaining positive relationships at work. You can improve communication in your relationships with coworkers, family and friends by practicing these skills on a daily basis. In this article, we will discuss the different types of communication, how to communicate effectively in a working relationship and the importance of communication in the workplace.

Related: Communication Skills at Work: 4 Key Tips

In this video, Jenn, a career coach at Indeed, discusses 4 important questions that will help you improve your communication skills at work.

Types of communication

In the workplace, we use different types of communication to interact with coworkers. These types of communication include:

Verbal communication

Verbal communication is the combination of sounds and words we use to speak with other people. Good verbal communication skills are essential in any working environment. Some elements of verbal communication include speaking with a confident voice, using active listening techniques and avoiding filler words like “um” or “like.”

Nonverbal communication

Nonverbal communication is communication without using words or sounds. Nonverbal communication cues include gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, body language and posture. When you use these skills, you pay attention to your coworker’s cues throughout the conversation.

Written communication

Written communication relays your message using only written words. In the workplace, you use this type of communication in the form of memos, reports and emails. Effective written communication is simple and clear. When you communicate through writing, you can address one idea at a time, look for messages to clarify and make sure to edit your words.

Interpersonal communication

Interpersonal communication is face-to-face communication that can take place between two people or among a group of people. This type of communication uses both verbal and nonverbal communication at the same time.

Read more: Communication Skills: Definitions and Examples

Image description

Types of Communication

Use a strong, confident speaking voice.
Use active listening.
Avoid filler words.
Avoid industry jargon when appropriate.

Notice how your emotions feel physically.
Be intentional about your nonverbal communications.
Mimic nonverbal communications you find effective.

Ask others before including visuals.
Consider your audience.
Only use visuals if they add value.
Make them clear and easy to understand.

Strive for simplicity.
Don’t rely on tone.
Take time to review your written communications.
Keep a file of writing you find effective or enjoyable.

Apply these communication habits in your workplace to share and receive messages more clearly:

1. Use face-to-face communication

Face-to-face communication is more personal than sending an email. When you are face-to-face, both you and your coworker can discuss things openly, quickly and professionally.

2. Listen

As your coworkers speak, it is important to listen and pay close attention to what they are saying. Listening will show your coworkers that you genuinely care about their point of view. If you are unclear on the speaker’s message, ask politely for clarification.

3. Make eye contact

In any conversation, you can make frequent eye contact so the other speaker knows you are listening and engaged in the conversation. Making eye contact shows you are paying attention to the speaker.

4. Pay attention to nonverbal messages

When you are having a face-to-face discussion with a coworker, pay attention to any nonverbal messages. For example, if your coworker’s arms are relaxed and open, they are ready to listen. If your coworker is making eye contact, they are ready to focus and hear what you have to say. It is also a good idea to be aware of your own nonverbal messages during a face-to-face conversation with a coworker. Try to keep a neutral body posture and tone of voice and make eye contact throughout the conversation.

5. Be present and engaged

You can show you are present and engaged in the conversation by focusing on your coworkers as they speak and by keeping your phone and other distractions put away. Acknowledge your coworker’s statements and respond accordingly. In a face-to-face conversation, you can respond with a smile, nod of the head or polite gesture that illustrates your feelings regarding their statements.

6. Participate in the conversation

When communicating with coworkers, use the opportunity to demonstrate whether you understand the message or need clarification. Both parties must actively participate in the conversation for communication to be effective. If your ideas are different from those of your coworkers, be sure to be respectful and considerate of their feelings. However, be honest, and politely let them know your idea.

7. Speak calmly and openly

When it is your turn to speak, remember to be professional. Remain calm, take deep breaths and think about your words before you speak them. Always respectfully let your coworkers know if something is bothering you and how they can help.

8. Acknowledge their time

At the end of the conversation, acknowledge your coworker’s time and thank them for talking with you. Acknowledging the discussion shows your coworker that you genuinely care about their ideas.

As you develop effective communication skills, you can build confidence and learn to be more comfortable communicating in the workplace. Using these communication tips each day will help you keep your workplace running smoothly.

Related: 4 Types of Communication (With Examples)

Benefits of effective communication in the workplace

Effective communication has a significant impact on the workplace. Communication affects everyone including the employees, managers and the overall business, as well. Effective communication in the workplace is important for the following reasons:

Conflict resolution

Effective communication is necessary for resolving conflicts among employees in a business. Once the conflict is resolved, you can move forward, and business can continue.

Increased productivity

With good communication, your workplace may see an increase in productivity. Productivity could rise due to elevated employee involvement and engagement, a sense of cooperation among coworkers and the promotion of new ideas and creativity.

Morale boost

Team morale is an essential part of efficiency in the workplace. For the workplace to operate at its highest level, every employee must contribute. With effective communication, everyone has a voice and can contribute accordingly to the overall function of the workplace. Typically, a boost in morale leads to an increase in productivity, which is optimal for a functioning business.

Effective communication among all employees within the business, as well as with clients outside the business, is important in the workplace and will help the business thrive. With practice, your communication will become clearer and easier to understand. By applying these communication skills and tips, you can become an effective communicator in your working relationships.