Nine out of ten employees 'scared to use Twitter at work'

Many people do not use Twitter when they are at work because they think it will get them in trouble with their employer.

Research conducted by Monster revealed that nine out of ten workers think that social networking sites are seen as an extra-curricular activity.

Of 1,765 employees surveyed, only eight per cent claimed that they use Twitter on a daily basis.

Speaking to Personnel Today, David Henry, vice president of digital marketing at Monster, said: People have been slow to adopt Twitter in the workplace, probably because social networking sites are frequently seen by employers as extra-curricular and therefore detrimental to business output.

However, he said that firms are increasingly realising that social networking can be a good way of sharing ideas and resources.

Being honest with one's employer is the best way forward according to a spokesperson from ClickAJob.

There is a management mindset that Twitter is only for indulgent gossip, he says.

The media hype over celebrities doesn't help either, but if you can demonstrate a positive way to use social networking to achieve work objectives, your boss should give you every encouragement, he asserts.

One person I know uses Twitter to monitor stock market movements, gaining insights that the usual channels just cannot provide. She doesn't Tweet much herself, but as an investment adviser she follows market movers like a hawk, he continues.

Prove it presents a genuine opportunity and employers should welcome social networking with open arms.

Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging site which allows people to update their status and keep their friends informed about what they are doing.