The Story

To reduce security threats and address concerns about productivity, several German companies are blocking employees' access to social networks.

Discussion Starters

• If you have worked in an office environment, how active were you on social networks like Facebook? Did this affect your productivity?
• Will this action stop employees from participating in social networks?  Why or why not?
• The move addresses concerns about viruses and employees revealing trade secrets online. How will blocking access to social networks address these concerns?  How will they fail to address these issues?
• What are the downsides of blocking employees' access?  What are the benefits to companies of having employees contribute information about their brand on social networks?

Assignment Ideas

• Employees can speak positively on behalf on their companies, which could promote a brand.  Contribute a positive comment about a company or brand on a social network. 
• Review a Facebook fan page for your favorite brand or product.  Analyze the comments: are most comments positive or negative?  What can you conclude about this?
• How does this policy of German companies compare with common policies of U.S. companies?  Review a few social media policies of U.S. companies and write a report to summarize your findings.