Managing employee use of social media

Social media presents great opportunities for businesses of all sizes. Business benefits include:

• communicating with employees, partners, and stakeholders
• promoting your business and products/services
• building brand awareness
• discovering what people think of your business and what they are saying about it
• personally interacting with existing customers and attracting new ones

Read more about social media business opportunities and challenges.

Social media channels

There are many social media platforms that your business can avail of including Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

It's important to consider whether social media is right for your business and if so, which social media channels would best suit your business.

Read more on social media best practice for business.

Legislation relevant to social media

As an employer, you should be aware of the broad range of legislation that you should consider in relation to social media in the workplace.

This legislation includes:

• The Computer Misuse Act 1990
• The Human Rights Act 1998
• The Data Protection Act 2018
• General Data Protection Regulation
• The Malicious Communications (Northern Ireland) Order 1988
• The Protection from Harassment (Northern Ireland) Order 1997
• Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000
• The Telecommunications (Lawful Business Practice) (Interception of Communications) Regulations 2000
• Electronic Communications Act 2000
• Communications Act 2003
• The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (Unfair Dismissal)
• Equality and anto-discrimination laws

To find out more about the legislation that has an impact on social media, read the Labour Relations Agency (LRA) guidance on social media and the employment relationship.