In today’s ever-connected digital world, most people are on social media. People enjoy posting photos, liking and sharing content that matters to them, and scrolling through entertaining videos or stories.
Unfortunately, social media opens up a completely new world that can be compromised in seconds. That’s why it’s important for families employing domestic staff in their home to have a clear social media policy in place from the first day of employment.
This is an essential part of protecting your home and your family.
Social Media & Your Staff
Why Establishing a Social Media Policy is Necessary
A clear policy protects your home and children and preserves your household privacy. It also establishes a professional tone and outlines expectations.
Your staff may be privy to sensitive information, including conversations or other details that you want to keep secure or private.
Without clear guidelines, even the most innocent of posts could reveal your family’s location or schedule, show pictures of your children or other family members without consent, or disclose your property’s layout or valuables.
This could create a safety risk or pose a threat to security – especially for high-profile or ultra-high-net-worth homes where the stakes are greater.
Include it in Your Broader Privacy Policy
Many households require employees to sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) or have a written confidentiality agreement in place.
When you’re discussing these with your employees, it’s a great time to also talk about your social media policy.
Make it clear that they may or may not take or post photos of the home’s interior or exterior, share or take photos of the children or other family members, discuss daily schedules, travel itineraries or names of frequented locations or schools.
You should also make it clear that your family’s residence should not ever be discussed and if there are any other routines or specific lifestyle things that you don’t want shared or talked about, be sure to let them know.
Discuss Your Staff’s Professional Portfolio
Many in-home staff have significant experience in the domestic staffing industry and have a professional portfolio to prove it.
While this is a common practice for domestic employees to have, it is important to let them know what you’re comfortable having them include in that portfolio.
For example, if you hire a nanny, will you permit any photos of your children and the nanny together to include in their portfolio? If so, define if you want something in writing sharing that they are only to use in their portfolio or designate if you want faces or locations blurred.
Define Rules Around Social Media/Phone Use While On the Job
Today’s digital world means we are often connected to our phones throughout the day. Be sure to discuss what type of phone usage you’re comfortable with while you’re employee is on the job in your home.
For example, specify if it’s okay for them to check their personal social media accounts during their active work hours or if it is limited to during breaks. Outline whether live-streaming, FaceTime, or phone calls are okay from the home or not, as well.
Be clear what your expectations are, so there are no misunderstandings, always reiterating that you’re not trying to be controlling but instead working toward safety and professionalism.
Avoid Real-Time Updates
People love to post about their activities on social media and even a simple post of “we’re at the park” could result in compromised family safety. Make sure you outline if those types of updates are allowed or not, or if delayed posting is okay.
Enforce the Policy
Be sure that all household staff are held to the same standard when it comes to your social media policy. For example, if your executive chef is allowed to post meal photos on social media but your nanny is not allowed to interact on her phone at all during their shift, this may create claims of unfair treatment.
Keep all rules standard for everyone and enforce the policies with respect.
Get it in Writing
Above all, make sure your social media policy is in writing and signed at the time of hire. There should never be any ambiguity about what’s acceptable and what’s not. Review the policy during onboarding and add it to your employee handbook as well.
If things need to be revised, be sure to discuss those changes with your employee to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Why Household Staffing?
Defining digital boundaries is a crucial part of being a responsible household employer. And at Household Staffing, we take your safety and privacy seriously.
That’s why we perform an exclusive and extensive screening process that includes a Nationwide Criminal Records Investigation, a Nationwide Sex & Violent Offenders Search, Driving Record Report, and Social Media Search.
Once we present you with skilled candidates, you can check references and make your decision on who fits best in your private estate.
Call us today at (212) 600-2085 or complete our New Hire Form to get started.
