Digital Communication
Learning Objectives
At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
A. Explain the element of digital communication.
B. Identify two examples of Human Resources practices are being impacted by digital communication.
C. Explain a strategy that Human Resource professionals could used to deal with the digital communication issues.
Overview of Digital Communication
Digital communication is the element that is examines the exchange of information electronically (Ribble, 2015). This can include the use of text, email, skype, social networking, or blogs. In a global survey, it was reported that over 75% of people across 21 different countries use texting on their phones (Pew Research, 2012). In the workplace, 62% of employees use the Internet and email at work (Madden & Jones, 2008). In America, seven out of ten people use social media to connect to friends and family, share information, gather news, and for entertainment purposes (Pew Research Center, 2017). It is clear from the research that the use of electronic communication is very popular. This makes the need for education, policy, and technology very important in various organizations and institutions (e.g., school, hospitals, workplace).
Connections to Digital Citizenship Theme
In the field of Human Resource Management (HRM), the element of digital communication should be included when developing your HRM practices and policies. There are many aspects of HRM that are impacted by electronic communication. Two example are the use of email and social media. Each will be discussed briefly.
The use of email in the workplace is very common. However, this becomes an issue when employees are using company-owned devices for their own personal email use. This can be seen in two ways: 1) an employee using their work-issued email to send out personal emails, and 2) an employee using and access their own personal email using a company-owned device. Both can cause problems in the workplace for several reasons: viruses are brought into the company's networks, malware can be distributed, sensitive employment information may be compromised, or propriety information or material is leaked. The other concern with email is that they are permanent records that although may be deleted off your email still remain on server somewhere.
The use of email in the workplace is very common. However, this becomes an issue when employees are using company-owned devices for their own personal email use. This can be seen in two ways: 1) an employee using their work-issued email to send out personal emails, and 2) an employee using and access their own personal email using a company-owned device. Both can cause problems in the workplace for several reasons: viruses are brought into the company's networks, malware can be distributed, sensitive employment information may be compromised, or propriety information or material is leaked. The other concern with email is that they are permanent records that although may be deleted off your email still remain on server somewhere.
The use of social media is a bit more complicated issue in HRM today. One issue is using company time to access one's personal social networking sites (e.g., Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter). Obviously, when accessing such material during work hours there is a loss of productivity and potential for viruses that may invade the company's network. A second issue is about HRM professionals and hiring managers using the information posted on such sites to make employment decisions. Many are using search engines, like Google, and social networking sites to research current employees and current applicants. For example, research showed that over 90% of hiring managers and recruiters accessed the social media of job seekers during the selection process (Swallow, 2011). Further, about 70% of applicants are rejected based on the information found in their social media profiles (Preston, 2011).
Social media profiles can provide information that is not relevant to the job and potential inappropriate to have. This information includes: age, ethnicity, martial status, sexual orientation, and political affiliation. Further, we may draw conclusions based on inaccurate perceptions created by social postings. For example, if we view a person who appears to be at a social gathering holding a red solo cup up, we may draw the conclusion this person is a likes to party and drink alcohol. However, maybe this is a family reunion and they are drinking lemonade. The use of social media is very complex and HRM needs to devote attention to this issue.
Digital communications need to be addressed by HRM. Email and social media are just two examples of such issues. HRM professionals need to create policies that govern the use of digital communications to ensure that people are being treated fairly, being protected, not compromising sensitive organizational data, and not putting the company in a liable position. Education and training should be provided to make sure everyone understands ethical and legal digital communication and the role they play in this activity.
NPR Radio Audio Broadcasts
The following are podcasts from NPR that highlight several of the issues you just read about regarding the digital communication and the impact on HR professionals.
NPR Broadcast #1
Headline: Advice for Dealing with Workplace Retaliation: Save Those Nasty Emails
Published date: September 14, 2016
Time length: 3:48
The Link to the transcript is below:
Published date: September 14, 2016
Time length: 3:48
The Link to the transcript is below:
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NPR Broadcast Summary #1
This podcast discusses how email are permanent records. Therefore, for some that have used this medium to harass individuals or discriminate against others for participating in court cases have come this emails back to haunt them. Other individuals are simply pulling emails to demonstrate how they are being treated unlawful and using these emails in their retaliation claims.
This podcast discusses how email are permanent records. Therefore, for some that have used this medium to harass individuals or discriminate against others for participating in court cases have come this emails back to haunt them. Other individuals are simply pulling emails to demonstrate how they are being treated unlawful and using these emails in their retaliation claims.
NPR #2
Headline: Could Your Social Media Footprint Step on Your Credit History?
Published date: November 4, 2015
Time length: 3:50
The Link to the transcript is below
Published date: November 4, 2015
Time length: 3:50
The Link to the transcript is below
Summary of NPR Broadcast #2
This podcast describes how inferences are being made about your creditworthiness based on your social media. This was implied by the CEO of FICO, a credit score reporting agency. So you may want to think about your posts in a different light.
This podcast describes how inferences are being made about your creditworthiness based on your social media. This was implied by the CEO of FICO, a credit score reporting agency. So you may want to think about your posts in a different light.
References
Madden, M., & Jones, S. (2008). Networked workers. Retrieved May 9, 2017 from http://www.pewinternet.org/2008/09/24/networked-workers/
Pew Research (2012). Global digital communication: Texting, social networking popular worldwide. Retrieved May 11, 2017 from http://www.pewglobal.org/2011/12/20/global-digital-communication-texting-social-networking-popular-worldwide/
Pew Research Center (2017). Social media fact sheet. Retrieved May 11, 2017 from http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheet/social-media/
Preston, J. (2011). Social media history becomes a new job hurdle. Retrieved March 17, 2016 from http://sp.myconcorde.edu/sites/PortlandOR/RT/Shared%20Documents/COM110%20Elements%20Of%20Human%20Communication/Class%20Handouts/Social%20Media%20Becomes%20a%20New%20Job%20Hurdle.pdf
Ribble, M. (2015). Digital citizenship in schools: Nine elements all students should know (3rd ed.). Eugene, Oregon: International Society for Technology in Education.
Swallow, E. (2011). How recruiters use social networks to screen candidates. Retrieved April 16, 2015 from http://news.yahoo.com/recruiters-social-networks-screen-candidates-infographics-175214003.html
Pew Research (2012). Global digital communication: Texting, social networking popular worldwide. Retrieved May 11, 2017 from http://www.pewglobal.org/2011/12/20/global-digital-communication-texting-social-networking-popular-worldwide/
Pew Research Center (2017). Social media fact sheet. Retrieved May 11, 2017 from http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheet/social-media/
Preston, J. (2011). Social media history becomes a new job hurdle. Retrieved March 17, 2016 from http://sp.myconcorde.edu/sites/PortlandOR/RT/Shared%20Documents/COM110%20Elements%20Of%20Human%20Communication/Class%20Handouts/Social%20Media%20Becomes%20a%20New%20Job%20Hurdle.pdf
Ribble, M. (2015). Digital citizenship in schools: Nine elements all students should know (3rd ed.). Eugene, Oregon: International Society for Technology in Education.
Swallow, E. (2011). How recruiters use social networks to screen candidates. Retrieved April 16, 2015 from http://news.yahoo.com/recruiters-social-networks-screen-candidates-infographics-175214003.html