Wireless Management

A number of companies are tightening their grip on how employees use social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook at work, according to the findings of a survey published by Robert Half Technology.

Robert Half Technology (News - Alert) is a provider of information technology (IT) professionals on a project and full-time basis. The survey was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on telephone interviews with over 1,400 chief information officers from companies across the United States with 100 or more employees.

Thirty-eight percent of CIOs interviewed have implemented stricter social networking policies, according to the survey report. However, more than twice the number -- 17 percent -- said that they have relaxed the rules.

The survey report observed that a larger percentage, 23 percent, of technology executives are reining in personal use of social media than are placing limits on social media use for business. Around 15 percent are placing limits on social media use for business.

According to the findings of a previous report, more than half, 55 percent, of companies have social networking policies that ban the use of social networking altogether.

"The challenge for companies is balancing the benefits of social media in the workplace with the risks," said Dave Willmer, executive director at Robert Half Technology.

Willmer said that firms are evaluating how to help employees use social networks to keep pace with developments in their industries, stay connected with business contacts, and promote their organizations without sacrificing information security or employee productivity.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to social networking policies, Willmer said, adding that to be effective, guidelines should include input from stakeholders throughout the organization, including IT, legal, human resources, marketing, public relations and front-line employees.