Interesting survey done by Clearswift about HR's handling of employees use of web 2.0 and social media technologies.

Although based upon US data it shows that almost 1/4 of HR professionals do not understand web 2.0 and social media and leave that to IT. It seems that almost 2/3rds of companies ban employees using social media sites.

The issue for companies is this:

• If employees are not allowed to use social media tools who is monitoring the internet for a companies brand reputation or being allowed to join in the active conversations?

There is a wider issue at play here. All the recent research shows that employee engagement in the UK is poor. Employees feel that managers fail to communicate with them. They do not know or understand the companies vision and mission. 

The result? Upto a 1/3rd of employees would not recommend or promote the company and a large percentage would actually say negative things! 

Companies that are banning social media use by employees during work time do so with the best of intentions but just what are they risking?