"Rise of Twitter Highlights Need for Employers to Review, Update Social Networking Policies," BNA: Privacy and Security Law Report

Rapid growth in employee use of Twitter, an online instant messaging service, raises several concerns over the risk of company public embarrassment, liability, and the release of proprietary trade secret or other sensitive information. Philip Gordon of Littler’s Denver office and Katherine Cooper Franklin of Littler’s Seattle office explain how employers should implement social media policies to address these concerns. “Social media policies generally should be short, straightforward, and advise employees not to share confidential or proprietary information about their employer or to talk negatively online about their co-workers, the company, competitors, or suppliers,” said Gordon.