Firms are struggling with the challenge of encouraging their employees to use social media to boost business, while not allowing the use of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to become a distraction.A third of employers say they had experienced some kind of issue with improper use of Facebook by an employee, according to a survey published by human resources consulting firm OperationsInc (OI) and management consulting firm Performance-Solutions-Group, Inc. (PSG).The survey polled 100 organisations in the Fairfield County and New York metro area and focused on the many complicating factors facing today’s business owner as a result of social media.The key findings were:l 56 percent of businesses do not have a social media policy in place.l 70 percent of firms allow access to Facebook at work / 28 percent do not allow access.l 61 percent of businesses allow access to Twitter at work.l 35 percent encourage their Sales / Marketing staff to use LinkedIn.l 33 percent of employers have experienced some type of issue with the improper use of Facebook by an employee.l Only six percent see employees walking away with their LinkedIn contacts as a high concern, while 55 percent see it as somewhat concerning.“Social media in the workplace is by far the hottest issue in human resources in 30 years,” said David Lewis, CEO of OperationsInc. ”What’s even more intriguing is that the court’s view of the balance between the rights of the employer versus one’s right to privacy is unclear, making this an issue that bears close scrutiny in the coming years.“Our survey shows that many employers are starting to take notice, albeit with little clear understanding of how to proceed.”Wil Brewer, president of PSG, said: “The emergence of social media has created a vital and relevant range of communication opportunities. Management is faced with the fascinating conflict of how to leverage the opportunities while balancing the use and potential misuse so that employee efforts are appropriately channeled.”Additional feedback from survey participants indicates that while many businesses view the use of Facebook for business purposes as an asset, there are also many concerns that this social media tool is becoming a distraction at work and a growing problem in terms of employee interactions.Another popular tool, LinkedIn, is seemingly seen as necessary in the workplace, with the concerns about one walking away with the contacts being outweighed by the need to have the tool in play plus protections under non-disclosure agreements.Overall, findings show that there is a high need for the development of social media policies in the workplace, but evolving them into something useful is the challenge.Using social media for personal issues during the workday is one thing, but Mr Lewis said companies should also be wary of employees discussing a company issue or new discovery or commenting about a fellow employee.In response, employees could say it is a matter of freedom of speech, Mr Lewis said.“Our advice try to get ahead of this now,” he said.