Nearly 50% of Singapore professionals have seen social media hurt workplace relationships

Only 30% believed that these sites facilitate the develoment of better working relationships with their professional counterparts.

According to Robert Half's latest Workplace Survey, majority of Singapore respondens (68%) were comfortable extending their relationships with their colleagues - including their peers and subordinates - from the workplace into cyberspace.

However, they are more concerned about linking up with their bosses online - 49% said they were uncomfortable about connecting with their bosses via professional networking sites, and a bigger 62% via personal networking sites.

Mr Tim Hird, Managing Director of Robert Half, Singapore and Japan, commented, “Sites like Facebook and LinkedIn have radically transformed the way people communicate and share information, and could be effective tools in bringing people closer. On the flip side, they can also create discomfort and uncertainty in the workplace.”

Close to 50% of the respondents noted that social networking has negatively impacted workplace relationships, with 10% having had first-hand experiences. Only 30% believed that these sites facilitate the development of better working relationships with their professional counterparts.

As prevalence of social media in the workplace blurs the line between personal and professional relationships, Mr Hird advises professionals to carefully manage their online profiles to ensure they project a positive image. “It is important for employees to be judicious about the information they want to share online, and to always conduct oneself with professionalism and decorum. Here are some ways employees can protect their professional image in the social media space:

• Use caution. Be familiar with each site’s privacy settings to ensure personal details or photos you post can be viewed only by people you choose.
• Keep it professional. Use social networking sites while at work to make connections with others in your field or keep up with industry news – not to catch up with family or friends.
• Stay positive. Avoid complaining about your manager and colleagues on social networking sites. Once you have hit submit or send, you can’t always take back your words – and there is a chance they may be read by the very people you are criticising.
• Polish your image. Tweet or blog about a topic related to your profession. This would allow you to build a reputation as a subject matter expert, which could help you advance in your career.
• Monitor yourself. Even if your employer has a liberal policy about social networking, limit the time you spend checking your Facebook page or reading other people’s tweets to avoid a productivity drain.”

While the majority of professionals are already engaging in social networking, many organisations have yet to create or define social media policies for the workplace. Close to 40% of Singapore respondents say their organisations have no policy in place, while 19% are unclear about their workplace policies. 18% said their companies prohibited access to social networking sites, and therefore no policy was required.