The world of social media is growing exponentially, as is its
impact on all stages of employment, from recruitment to post-
termination. Employers who fail to keep abreast of these
developments may find themselves breaching laws and/or ethical
standards, either directly or through the conduct of their
employees. This article outlines the relationship between social
media and the workplace at each stage of employment, and considers
the steps employers can take to ensure compliance with laws and
ethical standards, and still reap benefits that social media
provides.
Recruitment
Social media has significantly altered the recruitment process.
Sites such as LinkedIn provide a wealth of recruitment
opportunities, bringing recruiters to candidates and candidates to
potential employment opportunities. 'Social media vetting'
has become commonplace, with recruiters using social media as a
tool to determine the suitability of prospective candidates. In
2011, 91% of US
