Social Media is my smoke break
This past week was a little taste of heaven for me because the weather got into the 50’s! I have the spring bug and there really is no going back for me, the snow has got to stay away. When the weather starts to get nice, the outside of office buildings become a buzz with all the professionals trying to get a glimpse of the sunshine. The other day I was going to a vendor to pick up swag for our goodie bags and I could not help but notice the amount of people standing outside taking a smoke break. I was in and out in about 15 minutes and I noticed that the same people were still outside enjoying the warm weather. I am not a smoker and I don’t have a problem with people that do, but I do have a problem with smokers having the ability to go outside for 15 minutes to have a smoke. There is so much buzz about employees using social media on the job and how companies are putting policies in place that prohibit the use of social media on the job. Why not? If I don’t smoke and using social media relaxes me and helps me to refocus, why can’t I take 15 minutes twice a day to engage? People get to go outside and smoke, I think I should be able to have a social media break!!
xoxo
Great point! I agree. You and your readers should check out this article that supports your vent-session.
5 Reasons Why Companies Should Not Block Access to Social Networks. http://adage.com/digitalnext/post?article_id=142701
Great article Sarah and thanks for sharing! I completely agree that companies can leverage their Gen Y employees to help them build their brand. If your company is doing something cool and people that work there are twittering about it, it may just intrigue college students and other people to change their perspective of the company or even want to work there! Twitter and facebook should be viewed as great marketing tools instead of time wasters. Companies are growing their clientele sole off of twitter and facebook alone. I know I am trying!! Ha.
For years I have insisted on taking a ‘chocolate break’ during work hours. At first my bosses thought it was a joke but when I explained that it was unfair for smokers to get regular breaks and I should be entitled to the same they accepted it. I have done so at every job since I was 18 years old (eeek, that’s nearly a decade!) with no problems so far.
Excellent post – thank you!