Welcome to the wild world of social media, where professionalism meets the potential for hilarious mishaps! Interacting with co-workers online can be a bit like walking a tightrope – one wrong move, and you might find yourself plummeting into an awkward abyss. But fear not, YH is here to guide you through this process! Coming from someone who has been on both ends of the spectrum when it comes to interacting with co-workers on social. Here's how:
Know Thy Company's Commandments: Before you start friending, following, and liking with reckless abandon, take a moment to peruse your company's social media policies. Think of it as your organization's version of the Ten Commandments – thou shalt not overshare, thou shalt not engage in online shenanigans, and thou shalt definitely not post that embarrassing selfie from last year's office party. Avoid sharing your social media accounts when "playing beers" with co workers. Can't open up yourself for them to look back at pictures of you from Spring of 2015, when you're jumping through a table during your senior week of college like you're in the WWE.
Know the Rules, Break the Rules: Before you dive headfirst into the murky depths of social media, take a gander at your company's rulebook. Then promptly disregard it and proceed to post that questionable meme you've been saving for a special occasion. Rebel with a cause, my friend.
Split Personality Syndrome: Consider creating separate social media accounts for your professional and personal lives. It's like having a alter ego, except instead of fighting crime, you're just trying to keep your boss from seeing videos of you drunk running around like the Joker.
Slide Into Those DMs: Need to discuss a work-related matter with a co-worker? Skip the public comments section and slide into their DMs like a stealthy ninja of professionalism. Keep it brief, keep it classy, and for the love of all that is sacred, please refrain from using emojis that could be misconstrued as flirtatious. Or fuck it, send the eggplant emoji and see what happens. What's the worst that happens, you get a calendar invite from HR?
Timing is Everything: Be mindful of the timing of your online interactions with co-workers. Sending work-related messages at 3 a.m. might give off the impression that you're either a dedicated workaholic or suffering from a severe case of insomnia. Either way, it's probably best to save it for normal business hours. This is one who has been bothering me the most recently. Some nerd I was hired with 5 years ago, let's just say his name is Greg. Do not DM me or respond to everyone of my instagram stories and try and have a full blown conversation. It is a privilege I let you follow me, do not abuse it.
Boundaries, Schmoundaries: While it's tempting to share every aspect of your life with your work pals, remember to maintain a modicum of professionalism online. Save the oversharing for your therapist – or at the very least, your close friends who won't judge you for binge-watching cat videos at 2 a.m. Unless it's Big Neef, I send him shit on IG all hours of the day. He is a big fan of Michael B Jordan motivational clips.
Troll On: If you find yourself embroiled in a heated debate with a co-worker online, resist the urge to throw digital punches. Instead, channel your inner zen master and respond with the grace and poise of someone who's definitely not googling comebacks.
So there you have it, folks – the ultimate guide to navigating social media with your co-workers, sprinkled with a healthy dose of humor and a pinch of practicality. Remember, social media can be a powerful tool for building relationships and fostering camaraderie, but it's also a digital minefield of potential pitfalls. Approach with caution, stay classy, and above all else, never underestimate the power of a well-timed GIF. Lastly, just don't be annoying!