Facebook & Work
Posted by Mike on February 21st, 2008
I’ve really enjoyed using Facebook for the last year or so. Of all the social networking apps out there I think it’s been one that has actually added to my overall happiness.
That said, with any new social medium, we still need to figure out what the ‘rules’ are to what we as individuals are happy with. A good case in point for me has been what to do with Facebook and colleagues at work.
Facebook has work ‘networks’ which are interesting ways of seeing what your co-workers are up to if you’re friendly with them in an extra-curricular way, but this situation can start getting complicated if your work relationship gets strained in any way. For instance, I recently saw a Facebook status update of a ‘facebook friend’ who I work with that made an already tricky situation more frustrating for me.
As such, I’m introducing a new policy for myself to limit my Facebook / work overlap somewhat - I’m not going to have any ‘facebook friends’ that are within my reporting hierarchy (i.e. if they report to me to any level, or if I report to them from any depth). For now, I’m happy to be linked to people outside of that, but even that is questionable for the long term.
Has anyone else thought about this at all?
February 21st, 2008 at 8:51 am
Mike’s new Facebook relationship status: it’s complicated.
February 21st, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I agree completely - Facebook and work are difficult partners.
I’ve got myself into a little bit of trouble here by accepting close colleagues as friends whilst ignoring more distant ones. I’m sure that’s had an effect on my relationship with those people I ignored.
March 11th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
It’s usually been my experience that it is better to build that bridge than not at all, but I like your style though. Setting rules and boundaries… gotta admire that!
I think part of the excitement for me is how easy it is to build those connections. Facebook has actually streamlined some of the headaches around communication.