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Legal company hit the road to teach Scotland’s employers how to avoid social media mishaps

Leading employment law and health and safety specialists, Law At Work, are coming to Aberdeen on February the 10th to coach employers on how to manage their employees’ use of social media in the workplace.

Social networking sites, such as Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook, have become increasingly important channels for businesses; but the surge in their use, particularly by employers and employees is starting to cause serious management and HR headaches. The problems have been triggered by a clash between employees’ rights to privacy and free speech, and business’s objectives and reputations. Employment disputes around social media use have already led to a number of high-profile sackings, some of which have ended up in the employment tribunals.

Recognising the role new media can play in work environments and the implications its misuse can create for employee relations, Law At Work (LAW) has designed these 90 minute briefings to help guide employers through the employment law labyrinth when dealing with employees’ use of social media sites.

The seminar will take place at the Skene House Conference Suite at 9am, and LAW is encouraging HR professionals, senior managers, board members and all business owners to attend to gain a better understanding of the legal and management issues businesses now face as a result of the new communication phenomenon. Employers will learn firsthand what they can do now to regulate employees’ use of these new media channels and email, without creating legal risks for the business.

Donald MacKinnon, Director of Legal Services at Law At Work, highlighted the importance of the event to employers. He said:

“The benefits of social media to businesses are self-evident; but uncontrolled freedom of speech can also be very damaging. Social media misuse is rapidly becoming one this year’s unanticipated employment law hotspots. It affects every business, regardless of size or sector. The key to handling social media is preparation. LAW has been advising clients on social media policies and guidelines for their staff to prevent disputes breaking out.

“We hope that our briefing sessions will assist all businesses in Aberdeen, and throughout Scotland, to get to grips with the importance of this issue, and spur them into putting formal social media polices and guidelines in place. The briefings aim to prepare businesses to manage social media misuse if it crops up in their organisations. This is a new area for many, but equipped with robust policies and guidelines, those who attend will leave with confidence on how to handle social media.

“We recently held two live mock tribunal events focused on a real social media case, which gave directors, senior managers and HR personnel the chance to experience, step-by-step, the tribunal process. Attendees learned how to successfully defend claims raised against them. We hope that this next round of briefings will encourage businesses to take steps to protect themselves and their employees, and hopefully reduce the number of scenarios that lead to tribunals.”

Early booking is advised. Light refreshments and networking opportunities will be available half an hour before start of the event. Places cost £25 for LAW clients and £50 for non-clients, exclusive of VAT. They can be booked by calling 0141 271 5555 or emailing: seminar@lawatwork.co.uk. Law At Work is offering members of the Aberdeen Chamber 20% off the full ticket price. Members looking to book this should contact Gillian Wilson on 0141 271 5555.

For more information please visit www.lawatwork.co.uk/training-and-events

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