To Twitter or not to Twitter at office? New rules

Is that employee preparing the financial report the boss requested or checking out YouTube to see that amazing triple play that was all over sports radio this morning?

Did that tweet just sent out over Twitter close the deal with a key client, or was the sender just chatting up her recipe for blueberry pancakes?

Millions of such questions are being asked in the ever-expanding world of social networking, which has been a boon to countless businesses. Yet it also ranks as a tempting personal communication tool that can cut down on productivity in the workplace.

Experts say the wildfire growth of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and other social media caught some companies off guard. Instant communication is great, but how can businesses control personal tweeting, Web surfing and friend collecting on company time?

"It's like any other business decision. You have to lay out the ground rules," said Jessica Hawthorne, employment-law counsel for the California Chamber of Commerce. "Companies have to establish what can and cannot be done in the workplace. These things do need to be thought out, because it's happening so fast."

Hawthorne recommends that companies establish a policy on using electronic social media. She said wording of such a policy needs to be very specific, right down to what media or devices belong to the company, and what will or won't be tolerated for personal use.

Many ground rules are obvious: Don't plan your vacation on the Web during company time, don't tweet your mundane office tasks to the world and stop looking for your high-school sweetheart on Facebook while at your cubicle.

In other words, don't use company equipment -- or your own equipment, including an iPhone -- to conduct personal business during the workday.

Other things employers must consider are not so obvious: Will you allow employees to conduct personal business on a laptop or iPhone during in-office breaks or in the company lunchroom? What is the dividing line between business and personal use? How many personal calls are allowed?

"In some cases, you have to ask, 'Is that really feasible?' " Hawthorne said. "But there are good reasons for employers to be concerned."

For example, what if an employee is watching a YouTube video that nearby co-workers find offensive? What if you are communicating with someone in a way that strikes fellow employees as sexist or racist?