This article written by Susan Meisinger is about how Human Resource Management is affected by the external environmental factor of technology. Technology is constantly changing and developing new ways to communicate, learn, and do business. Social media and social networking has been a recent issue within the workplace, whether or not employees should be allowed to use social networking sites such as Facebook while at work. And should companies be allowed to look at your pages, postings and comments and hire or fire based on them.
The article uses the story of protesters in Tunisia as a parallel to this issue. Just as the protesters rallied employees can also using social media tools to let people know how the feel and are treated by the leaders (management). In addition to the recent steps by the National Labor Relations Board suggest that employees who make use of digital tools to engage in concerted activity over terms and conditions of employment will be gaining greater protections under the National Labor Relations Act.
Meisinger states, "HR professionals who have operated in a union environment are very familiar with what constitutes "concerted activity" under the NLRA. They're under the mistaken belief that there has to be a union involved for the law to apply. That lack of knowledge is likely to change as the NLRB continues to adopt policies that recognize and embrace new technology and social-media tools."
http://www.hreonline.com/HRE/printstory.jsp?storyId=533329058
Sonya,
ReplyDeleteI realize that employers may be within their rights to limit or even prohibit personal emails or social networking activities; however, I do not agree with one's employer being able to monitor and read one's postings. I believe it constitutes an invasion of privacy and therefore should be prohibited.
I realize I may be in the minority when it comes to this but I firmly believe one's privacy should be respected- regardless of the setting.
The federal courts are beginning to address this issue. There have been several rulings at the federal district court level. It is only a matter of time before the US Supreme Court will get involved.
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