Social-media use strong in workplaces: survey
Social media are gaining a firm foothold in Thailand's workplaces, with almost three-quarters of employees approving of their personal use while at work, but with others seeing this practice as disruptive to workplace harmony, according to a survey by glo
Almost one in three (32 per cent) say social media have a negative impact on workplace productivity, and almost half (49 per cent) say that mixing personal and professional connections through social media can cause problems in the workplace.
"For many workers, social media have become almost an entitlement. It’s something that is a fundamental part of their communications armoury, and they’re using it to make career decisions and to search for jobs," said Wanna Assavakarint, managing director of Kelly Services Thailand. "Alongside the positives, there is nervousness about the pitfalls if the personal and professional worlds of social media are allowed to intermingle."
The findings are part of the latest Kelly Global Workforce Index (KGWI), based on an annual survey conducted by Kelly Services. Nearly 170,000 people in 30 countries participated in the survey.
The survey in Thailand shows:
l More than one-third (37 per cent) feel it is acceptable to share opinions about work with friends and colleagues on social media.
l 13 per cent of employees have been told to stop using social media at work.
l Almost two-thirds (65 per cent) of respondents are more inclined to search for jobs via social media rather than through traditional methods such as newspapers, online job boards and recruitment firms.
"The reality is that the spread of social media in the workplace is occurring faster than any rules designed to manage it," Wanna said. "While many employees are quick to see the benefits, employers and managers are still grappling with a host of complex issues relating to privacy, monitoring and access to sensitive business information."
Complete findings are published in a new report, "When Two Worlds Collide – The Rise of Social Media in the Workplace". For more information about the KGWI and key regional and generational findings, see www.kellyservices.com.
The KGWI is an annual survey revealing opinions about work and the workplace from a generational viewpoint. Launched late last year, about 170,000 people from the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa participated in the survey.
