HOW TO: Handle an Employee’s Controversial Online Behavior
This post originally appeared on the American Express OPEN Forum, where Mashable regularly contributes articles about leveraging social media and technology in small business.
Even the best organizations make missteps. Whether it’s a product that doesn’t work correctly or an employee that makes an odd comment, let’s face it: Stuff just happens. In most situations, though, the most important factor is how the situation is handled. While no one wishes to deal with negativity, taking time to consider the various scenarios that could come up, as well as possible responses, can make businesses better equipped to handle matters of contention.
The spread of social media has made it impossible for employers to completely control their employees’ online presences. As it is, mistakes and missteps are bound to happen. In the case of handling a controversial or inappropriate comment made by an employee via social media or elsewhere online, there are certainly steps that employers can take to make the process smoother. For starters, organizations should be proactive and define the distinction between acceptable and inappropriate behavior, emphasizing the link between employee behavior and company image. As the old adage goes, “the best defense is a good offense.”
