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Make sure you don’t look the twit, warns BHP

LEGAL experts are warning company bosses in the region to keep a careful eye on their tweeters to ensure loose words don’t ruin business.

While use of social networking continues to grow rapidly across the North East business community, bosses are more and more fearful the technology could cause more damage than good if it isn’t used properly.

In 2008, Virgin Atlantic sacked 13 of their staff after they called their customers ‘chavs’ on Facebook.

In the light of this, Darlington based BHP Law warns that one bad comment could leave a business reputation in tatters.

BHP Innovation Team consultant, Deb McGargle, said: “It’s a disaster waiting to happen.

“While disclaimers are often a lawyer’s best friend, they could also be a company’s silent assassin.

“If the people inside the business have that view and they are the ones working for the business, the business image is that view, ultimately, you can’t separate the two.”

Some employers have been using disclaimers stating that the views of the blogger were not those of the company.

Despite the pitfalls, BHP still believes social media is an effective tool providing it doesn’t slip into the wrong hands.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .