Negative Consequences of Improper Social Media Policies on Workplace

Running head: MANAGEMENT
Management communication
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1
MANAGEMENT
To: Senior Operations Manager of Sunshine 100
From: Jane Wilson, The Director of Social Media, Sunshine 100
Subject: Negative consequences of social media policies on the productivity
Date: 5th May 2019
Respected Sir/Madam,
This is in reference to the negative consequences of improper social media policies on the
workplace. You must be knowing the significance of social media in terms of
revolutionizing the business operations. I would specifically like to point out the benefit in
terms of increasing the trafficking of the audience towards the brand image. I would
particularly draw your attention to the case of Sunshine 100, where social media policies
include the elements of positive approach, courtesy, thoughtfulness, copyright and
maintenance of confidentiality.
Challenges in the traditional channels of communication
The company, Sunshine 100, intended to launch a campaign, KidEats for promoting
healthy eating options among the school children. According to the campaign, the
personnel conveyed the information that the recipes are handmade through the usage of
fresh and frozen products. Along with this, the food items are pure and is devoid of any
preservatives, over-processing, canned, jarred or pouched. The launch promoted the items
like sausage sizzles, crisps, ice cream, donuts and chocolate chip cookies. One of the staff
members took pictures of the eateries and posted them on his Facebook page. Under the
picture of the sausage sizzle, he expressed his reaction as “Junk food, junk food
everywhere’. This was because of the lack of understanding regarding the proper
utilization of Facebook [1]. This was done privately, without the knowledge of the
manager and the higher authorities, which can be considered as an unethical approach,
contradicting the aspect of professionalism, enhancing the corporate image.

2
MANAGEMENT
Impact of the negative behaviour on the organization’s identity
When the issue came to the notice of the higher authorities, the managers were concerned
about the spoilage on the brand image. Paul spoke with the lawyers, planning to terminate
Alice. However, I do not think termination would be an effective option. Alice committed
this action, as she was unaware of the proper utilization of the social media. No doubt her
approach stained the reputation of Sunshine 100. On the other hand, it reflects the careless
approach of the managers regarding providing training to the employees regarding proper
handling of the access provided for using the social networking sites [2].
According to the workplace rules and regulations, this type of behaviour is against the
workplace ethics. Violation of the rules and regulations reflects negative approach towards
the traditional core values. Carelessness towards this direction indicates stained reputation.
Carelessness include incapability towards managing the access to use the social networking
tools like Facebook. Incapability towards managing the utilization of the social media
platforms arises the situation of information leakage for the confidential data and codes,
resulting in stained reputation [3]. For this, there needs to be strictness in implementation
of the social media policies.
Communication strategy
There needs to be a proper communication strategy for disseminating the policy to the
personnel. For this strategy formulation, templates are fruitful in terms of covering all of
the parameters needed for developing the social media policy [4]. In case of Sunshine 100,
the social media policy covers all of the aspects catering to the mutual interest of the
stakeholders and shareholders.
Timing 15th May 2019
Audience Managers of Sunshine 100
Sender Jane Wilson