TikTok at the workplace: the inadvertent injury in the office
When you think 'injury on duty', you rarely think TikTok video...But what about the inadvertent effects of creating content in your workplace?
One might not often associate workplace injury with making videos for TikTok or Instagram.
While being a content creator can be a full-time job in addition to your regular 9-to-5, it does come with some red tape if you overlap your workflow.
Most people have earned a large following on their social media accounts because they create video content from their workplace.
While it may seem unconventional to include injury in the same category as someone creating content, it can be damaging and, therefore can cause some form of injury.
Whether you are doing it to jump on the 'influencer' bandwagon or create content for your company, you should always ensure you follow its policy on creating content.
If your company doesn't have a social media policy, you should check with your HR department so you don't end up on the wrong side of the desk when things go downhill.
Of course, this also ties in with your position at work. If you work in finance, for instance, perhaps your company allows you to take videos at the office, but you shouldn't post content that contains classified information.
The South African Labour Guide says, "It is advised that all employers adopt a detailed social media policy, clearly indicating to employees what is and what is not allowed when using social media. The rules regarding the use of social media should be incorporated into the contract of employment and disciplinary code."
Read more: Are your emojis breaking workplace rules?
Using social media in the workplace might be a fun and lighthearted way to create content for your personal accounts, but you should follow your employer's code of conduct.
"TikTok has overtaken Facebook in terms of the number of downloads and is the most used App in the world. It may only be a matter of time before we see cases regarding its use in our courts. Should a breach of the social media policy occur, employers should investigate the transgression and deal with it in terms of their disciplinary code. In severe cases, it may even lead to the dismissal of an employee," states the Labour Guide.
For instance, a case cited on the Labour Guide website said employees were dismissed for posting derogatory comments on their Facebook status updates.
While this might very well be a varied example of causing injury in the workplace, the CCMA found that the employees were fairly dismissed.
It shows that there is more than one way of viewing 'injury on duty'.
HOW TO LISTEN TO EAST COAST RADIO
- Listen to East Coast Radio on the FM (frequency modulation) spectrum between 94 and 95 FM on your radio.
- Listen live to ECR by clicking here or download the ECR App (iOS/Android).
- Listen to East Coast Radio on the DStv audio bouquet, channel 836.
- Switch to the audio bouquet on your Openview decoder and browse to channel 606
- Listen to us on Amazon Alexa.
Follow us on social media:
Image Courtesy of iStock