Theme 6: Social media and workplace communication

A blessing or a burden?

Let’s be honest, social media has completely changed the way we talk, share, and even work. Remember when email was the main way to reach someone at work? Now, it’s Slack, Teams, Zoom, WhatsApp, and sometimes even a cheeky Instagram DM. But while social media has made workplace communication faster and more connected, it’s also brought a few headaches along the way.

The good stuff: Connection, speed, and collaboration

One of the best things about social media tools at work is how they keep us connected. Whether you're working remotely or in a huge company with offices all over the world, apps like Microsoft Teams, Slack, or even LinkedIn can help bridge the gap. They’re fast, easy, and feel more casual than emails, which makes them perfect for quick check-ins or brainstorming (Leonardi, 2021).

Social media also boosts collaboration. People can share documents, ideas, memes (yes, even memes), or feedback in real-time. Teams don’t have to wait for the next meeting—they can get answers now. And when it’s used right, that can seriously improve productivity (Treem & Leonardi, 2013).

But… there are downsides

Of course, it’s not all sunshine and emojis. One big issue is distraction. We’ve all been there opening Slack to reply to a work message and somehow ending up scrolling through cat videos or someone’s birthday pics on Facebook. It’s way too easy to lose focus when your personal and professional worlds are just one app apart (Andreassen et al., 2017).

Another problem? Boundaries. Social media blurs the line between work life and personal life. Getting a work message at 9 PM on WhatsApp? Awkward. Should you reply? Can you ignore it? This kind of "always-on" culture can lead to burnout and stress (Derks et al., 2015).

Then there’s the matter of professionalism. Not everyone uses social platforms the same way. One person’s casual tone might come off as unprofessional to another. Misunderstandings are easy, especially when you're using gifs and emojis instead of tone of voice and body language.

So what’s the balance?

It all comes down to how companies use social media. When there are clear rules and some respect for people’s time, it works great. Encouraging teams to use social media tools for collaboration while also reminding them to take breaks and log off sometimes, can help keep things healthy.

Also, digital communication should never fully replace human connection. A quick message is great, but sometimes a real conversation (yes, even over Zoom!) is what really solves problems or builds relationships.

Final thoughts

Social media at work is here to stay. Used wisely, it can make teams more connected, creative, and efficient. Used poorly, it can be a never-ending notification nightmare. Like with most things in life, a little balance and a lot of common sense goes a long way.

References

Andreassen, C. S., Torsheim, T., & Pallesen, S. (2017). Predictors of use of social network sites at work – A specific type of cyberloafing. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 22(6), 273–287. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcc4.12188

Derks, D., van Mierlo, H., & Schmitz, E. B. (2015). A diary study on work-related smartphone use, psychological detachment and exhaustion: Examining the role of the perceived segmentation norm. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 20(4), 471–482. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0038664

Leonardi, P. M. (2021). COVID-19 and the new technologies of organizing: Digital exhaust, digital footprints, and artificial intelligence in the wake of remote work. Journal of Management Studies, 58(1), 243–248. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12648

Treem, J. W., & Leonardi, P. M. (2013). Social media use in organizations: Exploring the affordances of visibility, editability, persistence, and association. Communication Yearbook, 36, 143–189. https://doi.org/10.1080/23808985.2013.11679142