Chances are that your employer has some form of a social media policy. If you are building your brand while working for someone, you must find out what your job’s social media policy entails to avoid conflict of interest and other legal repercussions that can affect you and your business.
Cozy up with your employer’s social media policy
You must look up your employer’s social media policy. Educate yourself with your employers policy so you know what their rules are. This is the start of how you will legally protect yourself and your work. Once you are familiar with their policy, you’ll know what to can and cannot do.
Don’t violate your employer’s social media policy
Once you understand your employer’s policy, do not violate your job’s social media policy. If you do, some repercussions may include disciplinary action, lawsuit, and job termination. It’s not worth it especially if you are highly dependent on your current employment.
Don’t work on your business during your work hours
Do not work on your brand while you’re working on the clock. If you are caught, you can get in trouble. They can shut you down. They can claim your work as their own because you worked under their dime and their time. You are paid to perform your job duties. Separate work and your brand.
Don’t break any privacy laws and compromise sensitive information
No matter what you do at your job, do not break any laws. Do not break laws pertaining to privacy laws. Also, do not plagiarize anything from your job.
State your opinion disclaimer loud and proud and act accordingly
Whether we like it or not, we represent our employers. Even though you are working under them, you need to separate your brand from them. You cannot work on your brand while on the clock. One way for you to limit liability on your brand is to have an opinion disclaimer that states your views do not reflect your employer’s.
Even if you have an opinion disclaimer, take note of the following:
- maintain professionalism at all times
- do not bad mouth your employer, your co-workers, and your job
- do not speak on behalf of your employer outside of work hours
- do not post anything inflammatory whatsoever
- do not do anything that you will regret or anything that will haunt you
- do not do anything stupid that will cost you
Thoughts About Opinion Disclaimers
On your brand site (whether it’s your site or your social media profiles), add a disclaimer that your views do not represent your employer’s views. This will separate yours from theirs.
Some examples of these disclaimers include (but aren’t limited to):
- My views do not reflect my employer’s
- My views are my own
- This was created by the author in his/her personal capacity
- My work is my own opinion and no of my job/employer
…and so on and so forth…
NOTE: Speak to an attorney to know your rights if you do not understand the laws that protect you.
Social media is a great growth tool that your brand needs. If you are still working for someone, make sure that you do not violate their social media policy. Maintain professionalism at all times. Legally protect yourself and your brand. Always separate your work and your brand. Don’t let anything overlap legally to avoid any issues. When in doubt, speak to an attorney about your legal rights.
