A survey into the perceived risks of social networking to organisations has found most employers unprepared for potential employee misuse, according to Brisbane City News.

Conducted by social media legal specialists, Rostron Carlyle, spokesperson Malcolm Burrows, said while 76 per cent of respondents claimed they used social networking sites at work, 54 per cent said their work place did not have a social media policy.

“When it comes to legal safeguards, it seems most are unsure what to do, or simply underestimate the dangers involved,” Burrows said. “Social media comes with serious risks, such as loss of confidential information, breach of copyright and privacy, discrimination, defamation, even infringement of industry specific legislation.”

The survey also found that while 55 per cent of companies fear social media will affect their business reputation, few precautions have been put in place to protect it. 

“These results show that businesses generally have one of two reactions to social networking take an open slather approach and allow its use without limitation, or ban it completely,” Burrows said.

“Most employers don’t understand the legal risks associated with social networking and ignore the serious commercial implications a lack of forethought can have.”

Several respondents reported incidents of discipline and even dismissal in their workplace following the misuse of social media but only 3 per cent of businesses had updated their employment contracts to take account of the new phenomenon.