Internet activity can help workers find shared interests, improve relationships
Employers aren't the only ones turning to social networking sites and blogs to find out more about workers — workers themselves are also using the Internet to snoop on their colleagues and managers, according to a new survey.
The poll of 896 Canadian workers, commissioned by people search website Yasni, found 47 per cent admit to searching online for their colleagues’ and managers’ social networking pages, blogs they have commented on and forums they are members of, in the hopes of finding out some hidden secrets about those they work with.
But online research isn't always nefarious, said Andy Barr of Yasni. Social networking sites, forums and blogs give employees a deeper insight into their fellow workers and managers, which may ultimately lead to better work relationships.
People will know who they share similar interests with and how to strike up a conversation that will truly impress the boss, said Barr.
"What better way to impress your boss than to show an interest in their favourite hobby?" he said.
"However, we are also highlighting the importance of checking your own online reputation as there have been incidents across the world whereby members of staff have been disciplined and even sacked for writing inappropriate comments about fellow members of staff, phoning in sick and then uploading photos of a wild night out or just updating their social networking status throughout the day, when they should be working."
