Social media during disputes conciliation

The Acas employment relations service has warned how social media can present new challenges for industrial relations. The report Social media and its impact on employers and trade unions says that parties involved in Acas talks must be able to have free and open discussions without the details being broadcast more widely. Inappropriate use of social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, can threaten this traditional stronghold of privacy.

Acas chief conciliator and co-author of the report Peter Harwood said:

“Social media is already changing the conduct of industrial disputes. The spread of digital activism leads to a bigger impact, but it also presents trade unions, employers and the authorities with more volatile demonstrations and means it’s tougher to control action that involves disparate but well organised groups.

“I have actually sat in talks where one of the parties has been tweeting about them. It is the speed, immediacy and reach of social media tools that distinguish them from other forms of communication and can threaten both confidentiality and carefully communicating the outcome of Acas talks.”

www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/a/i/social_media_FINAL_3108111.pdf