A couple of weeks ago, I asked the question: Would you become a Facebook Friend with someone in your HR department? I actually expected it to be more controversial.
HR can often have the impression of being isolationist. But with the fairly even split in responses, I took it that those old rules about HR being a lonely job might be changing.
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IMHO, Facebook continues to be a social network where people connect with each other based upon camaraderie and similar tastes or styles. That may or may not include job title or profession. What do you think – why do people connect on Facebook?
Hi! I'm Sharlyn Lauby, an HR pro turned consultant. I created the HR Bartender blog so people would have a friendly place to discuss workplace issues. And since, over the years, I've developed an appreciation for the culinary arts (translation: I'm a Foodie) you'll see some of that here too. So, pull up a stool and order your favorite drink . . . the bar is always open.
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I connect on fb with colleagues at work. My rule is simple. If someone friends me, I accept. I never ask to friend someone at work – unless it is a peer and we are connected outside of work.
I consider the empl0yee’s perspective – someone in HR wants to friend me, what happens if I say no? I am always cognizant of how my position is perceived.
It’s my simple rule and works. I have the same rule for LinkedIn.
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Deirdre – Thanks for sharing your FB rules. I connect on FB with clients and former co-workers. My rule of thumb is not to post anything I wouldn’t want the whole world to know.
If you’re working, never ever post anything on Facebook that you wouldn’t want your boss or friends at work to know.
I’m with you Grace. It’s a great rule.
It is interesting to note, as I’m sure you’ve done, that the results are so evenly split. I agree with your readers that you don’t post anything you wouldn’t want your boss or friends to see. I have an added rule for HR and Lawyers. Never post anything you wouldn’t want a plaintff’s lawyer to blow up in a 3 x 5 exhibit for a jury. But, in reality, as a GC of a firm, not too many colleagues ask to friend me. I respect that.
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Thanks for the comment Mary. During my time in Corporate America, I always found my co-workers wanted to be friendly but not necessarily friends. And I was cool with that.
I made myself “hard to find” on facebook so that I don’t get a ton of requests anyhow. But friends-of-friends can usually find me. I don’t mind accepting friend requests from my HR colleagues, but I will admit I always find it uncomfortable when somebody from outside HR tries to “friend” me. It’s hard to say no and then look the person in the eye, so making myself harder to find was my solution.
Being friends on Facebook with an HR employee, or even a co-worker, can become difficult. I hate the thought of Facebook being brought into the work place for personal reasons because awhile back applicants were forced to hand over their Facebook password if they wanted to apply for a job. Below is a link to a blog about the applicants having to give away their Facebook passwords.
http://www.gnapartners.com/blog/employers-forcing-job-applicants-to-hand-over-facebook-passwords/