I have to admit to being a little sceptical around the time social media started creeping into our lives. It had the potential to be time-wasting nonsense as far as I was concerned, and as the leader of a reasonably big organisation I worried about the impact social media would have on productivity. Happily, I am now a convert, and can see the benefits social media brings to the FSU, and the broader union movement.

While traditional sources of media are still incredibly important, and the FSU continues to utilise these forms of media to get our messages out to the public, social media has enabled us to engage with members in a convenient and direct fashion that isn’t always possible due to factors like geography and resources. Within our own website we provide a space for members to express their views on a range of subjects and connect with one another, and visitors to our website can share our articles across a number of social media platforms with just one click of the mouse.

Australians are embracing social media rapidly, and our own research tells us that a large number of finance sector workers are connecting with each other in cyberspace. For that reason, your union must be in the social media space, to make sure we are reaching as many members and potential members as we possibly can.

But there are of course potential hazards, as in any unregulated space. Cyberspace is a place where there is always a record of your actions, and when you share your thoughts with the world there will always be someone who has a different view. By and large though, the sort of online activity the FSU participates in and facilitates (website discussion forums, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube) attracts sensible and thoughtful participation from members and the general public. We moderate all posts to our online spaces and it is difficult to recall any times when the moderator has needed to step in and alter or delete a post. In short, we reckon most of you get it – when you post on a website, or on Facebook or Twitter, you are publishing. And as with any form of publishing, care needs to be taken in the words you choose to use and the sentiments you choose to express.

The Commonwealth Bank’s recently implemented social media policy caused shockwaves in cyberspace when details of it were released. Bloggers criticised it, Tweeps condemned it, and journalists wrote reams about it (globally as well as locally). The FSU had a number of concerns with the policy which the union believes has the potential to impede on employees’ rights, and we detailed these concerns in a letter to the bank. 

As a result, CBA have revised their social media policy, and the FSU is meeting with bank next week to discuss the policy further, and our continuing concerns. We are also talking to other employers across the industry about getting the balance right when it comes to social media.

In the meantime, no matter where you work, can I suggest you familiarise yourself with your employer’s social media policy so you are aware of how your employer could potentially view your online activities. If you require support or advice from the union on this or any other matter, call us on 1300 366 378.

5 social media tips

1. Use the privacy settings available to you
2. Be selective about who you “friend” on Facebook and who “follows” you on Twitter
3. Think carefully about what you post – deleting an ill-thought comment doesn’t necessarily remove it from the internet
4. Use a pseudonym or post anonymously on news articles and public blogs
5. Don’t publish personal details like your address, phone number or finances

Leon Carter

Follow @LeonCarterFSU on Twitter
Follow @FSU_Australia on Twitter