While social media can be an effective way for businesses to stay in tune with customers in Texas, it can also lead to a myriad of legal issues. As a respected provider of legal guidance, the team here at The Jackson Law Firm can counsel employers on what to avoid when utilizing social media during the course of business. This will help business owners steer clear of unwanted litigation, which is crucial for achieving ongoing success.
Law360.com offers some useful tips on what not to do when it comes to social media and business. For instance, if an employee engages in harassment on another employee’s social media profile, the business itself could face legal reprisal. These issues may fall under harassment statutes, and employers are beholden to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees. Although harassment that is relegated to social media isn’t actually occurring within the workplace, it can still result in lawsuits against the business itself.
Business owners may also get in trouble for firing a worker over something he or she posted on social media. Certain types of posts are protected under the law, including making a complaint about workplace conditions, or criticizing the management process. These activities and others like them are considered lawful, and terminating an employee over such posts may not be permitted.
In many instances, employers should keep social media pages and workers separate. That means no following or linking up on social networks, which can lead to breaches of sensitive information and even claims of discrimination down the line. For more information on legal issues facing businesses, please feel free to visit us online.