Without a doubt, people nowadays are using social media more than ever. It’s a great way to express oneself, stay in touch with family and friends, and share content such as pictures and videos. Among the most popular social media platforms today are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.
In particular, more and more people are using TikTok, a video-sharing social media platform. Through TikTok, you can watch and share videos ranging from 15 seconds to 3 minutes, making it truly popular among people of all ages. But while the platform is great for personal use, it’s another matter to use it when you’re in the workplace.
Guidelines for using TikTok and Other Social Media in the Workplace
Using social media platforms such as TikTok is fun, there’s no doubt about that. But let’s not forget that being online involves certain responsibilities, especially if you are in the workplace. In fact, some companies even have their own “social media policies,” which all of their employees need to follow.
Whether or not your workplace has specific social media rules, it’s still a good idea to learn some do’s and don’ts when going online. In this article, we will talk about the things that you should — and should not — do whenever you use TikTok and other social media.
A. List of DO’s for TikTok and Other Social Media
Here are some tips to keep in mind, every time you go online:
1. DO… Be honest and sincere.
Always be truthful and post only accurate and verified information. Avoid posting and sharing rumors, fake news, and other information that could be damaging to your co-workers, your boss, your clients, and the company as a whole. When you make a mistake or post something that turns out to be false, admit your mistake and correct it as soon as possible.
2. DO… Be respectful and considerate.
Aside from being honest, always treat others with respect and consideration. If you have any problems or complaints, speak directly with the person concerned, rather than “vent” your grievances on social media, for all to see.
3. DO… Maintain confidentiality.
As part of a company, it is your duty to maintain confidentiality of information regarding products, services, systems, internal communications, and other matters. If you share any of these details on social media, not only will you be breaking company rules — but you’ll also be revealing trade secrets that could be damaging to the company. So again… maintain confidentiality!
4. DO… Speak for yourself only.
Remember that social media is a “personal space,” and when you post an opinion, you are speaking for yourself, and not for your colleagues or your employer. If you do need to post something that is work-related, see to it that it represents your personal view, and not those of your co-workers, employer, or customers.
B. List of DON’Ts for TikTok and Other Social Media
Meanwhile, here are the dont’s for TikTok and other social media. You might notice that this list is longer than the previous one. Be sure to keep these “warnings” in mind:
1. DON’T… Create videos at work.
Even if you have the “coolest” boss in the world, it’s best to avoid creating videos at work — unless it is part of the job (e.g. video presentation). It’s better to be safe than sorry!
2. DON’T… Post pictures of yourself in uniform.
When you wear your uniform, you are basically representing your company. So if you happen to create a video “for fun” while wearing your uniform, think of how this could affect your company’s image. Of course, the only exception is if you are an ambassador promoting your company’s products and services — in which case posting and sharing on social media could be part of the job description.
3. DON’T… Use company email for personal purposes.
Your company email address should be reserved for work purposes only. Do not use it to register on TikTok, Facebook, and other social media, as these networks are designed for personal and not for work purposes.
4. DON’T… Post criticisms online.
After a hectic and stressful day at work, you might be tempted to post negative things against your boss, a co-worker, or a customer. Don’t… just don’t. If you “rant” now, you might end up posting something that you would definitely regret later. Again, if you have any problems or issues at work, be a professional and talk about it directly with the person involved, instead of blowing a fuse on your social media feed!
5. DON’T… Engage in a fight online.
The last thing you want to do is start or engage in a fight online. Being in a social media “word war” is just not worth it; it might even cost you your job! Once again, if you have any work-related problems, deal with these in the office, and not on social media.
6. DON’T… Post anything offensive.
This is common sense, really. Do not post anything that could offend a colleague, a customer, and your boss! Avoid making disparaging remarks, especially those that are related to gender, nationality, disability, or other matters. Remember the golden rule: “Don’t do unto others what you do not want done unto you.”
7. DON’T… Post anything against religion.
Whatever your personal beliefs, there’s no need to criticize other people’s religious beliefs. Furthermore, there is certainly no need to engage in a religious debate online, be it with your co-worker or other people. In some countries, talking against religion may even be seen as a serious or criminal offense, so… just don’t do it! Plain and simple.
8. DON’T… Post illegal stuff.
Unless you want to find yourself at the police station, facing the camera for a mug shot, and most likely losing your job — then don’t even think about posting anything illegal. This could be anything from illegal drugs, pornography, or any criminal activity.
9. DON’T… Upload drunken photos.
There is certainly nothing wrong with having fun every now and then. Eat out with your colleagues. Have a few drinks. Sing karaoke! But don’t post pictures that could affect not only your reputation, but your company’s as well.
10. DON’T… Post anything that you don’t want your boss to see.
Here’s the thing… Even if you are not “friends” with your boss online, he or she may know someone who can see your social media profile. We cannot emphasize this enough: Do not post any texts, photos, or videos that you don’t want your employer to see. Otherwise, you just might be saying “bye bye” to your job soon!
Indeed, social media platforms such as TikTok offer fun and creative ways for us to express ourselves and connect with people online. However, we shouldn’t forget our responsibilities as professionals. As cliche as it may sound, always “think before you click,” and remember the above do’s and don’ts for using social media in the workplace. In addition, here are some reminders for using social media when working abroad.